UC-NRLF 


B  ^  337  721 


IS20 


IV  O  R  M  A 


XKT     T  "W^  O     -A-OTiS. 


IHE    MUSIC     BYiBELLINI 


AB  REPRESENTED  AT  TUB 


HOYAl.    ITALIAN   OPERA,  LONDON.  AND   THE   ACADE\?\ 
OF  MUSIC.  NEW-YOKK. 


}mw  YORK: 
t^UBLlSHEi)  AT  THE  ACADEMY  OF  MUSIO. 


A  RG  U  M  ENT. 

Thk  Remans,  having  cffootod  the  sulijugation  of  Gaul,  conmiitted  the  government  of  the  conquered 
pruviiK-o  to  Pollio,  a  Proconsul,  who  became  enamoured  of  Nornia,  daughter  of  the  Arch-Druid 
(Druidism  being  at  that  time  the  religion  of  the  country),  and  who,  bcBides  the  respect  awarded  her 
from  till'  ix'nsideration  of  her  birth  and  connections,  was  regarded  by  the  superstitious  multitude  as 
the  unerring  oracle  through  whom  their  grand  deity,  Irminsul,  condescended  to  convey  to  his  faithful 
votaries  his  divine  decrees.  Norma  having  been  secretly  united  to  Pollio,  the  Roman  Governor,  has 
become  the  mother  of  two  children,  Mhom  she  keeps  secret  from  all,  excepting  Clotilda.  Pollio  after- 
wards deserts  Norma,  and  transfers  his  affections  to  Adalgisa,  a  young  priestess  of  the  Temple  of 
Irminsul,  who  permits  a  similar  passion  to  kindle  in  hi.>r  bosom  for  the  faithless  Roman,  who,  after 
much  persuasion,  succeeds  in  gaining  her  consent  to  abandon  the  Temple,  and  fly  with  him  to  Rome. 
Remorse,  however,  soon  takes  possession  of  her  breast,  .and,  in  her  agony,  she  resolves  to  reveal  all  to 
Norma,  who  is  already  lalx)uring  under  the  influence  of  slighted  love.  Pollio  makes  his  appearance  at 
the  instant  that  AdiUgisa  is  relating  her  story  to  Norma,  whose  anger  is  transformed  into  the  wildest 
fury,  on  being  informed  by  Adalgii-a  that  he  is  the  cornipter  of  her  youthful  heart,  and  she  bitterly 
reproaches  Pollio  for  his  infidelity  and  baseness. 

The  Second  Act  commences  by  introducing  Norma,  vdth  her  children,  the  former  still  under  the 
influence  of  rage,  and  bent  on  their  destruction,  which  she  is  on  the  point  of  accomplishing,  when  the 
full  tide  of  maternal  leciing  nishes  into  her  heart,  and  arrests  her  uplifted  arm.  She  next  resolves  to 
destroy  herself,  and,  as  a  preliminary  step,  requests  Adalgisa  to  take  charge  of  her  children,  who, 
moved  by  her  distress,  endeavours  to  allay  her  perturbation,  and  promises  to  persuade  Pollio  to  retura 
to  her.  In  anticipation  of  her  success,  Nonna  becomes  more  tranquillised,  and  indulges  hopes  of 
bri^'hter  days.  The  illusion  is  of  short  duration,  Clotilda  soon  after  informs  her  that  Adalgisa  has 
been  unsuccessful,  and  that  the  Roman  persists  in  his  detei'mination  to  possess  her.  IntelUgence  soon 
alter  arrives  that  a  Roman  has  been  discovered  in  a  certain  part  of  the  Temple,  exclusively 
appropriated  to  the  use  of  the  Tirgins,  who,  on  being  introduced,  proves  to  be  Pollio.  Another  scene 
of  recrimination  ensues  between  him  and  Norma,  in  which  she  threatens  the  life  of  Adalgisa.  Pollio 
pleads  for  her,  but  thg  other  is  inexorable,  and  orders  the  pile  to  be  prepared,  and,  on  the  name  of  the 
victim  being  demanded,  she  publicly  announces  herself.  All  present  are  sti-u.ck  with  horror  and 
amazement,  anxious  to  know  the  nature  of  her  crime ;  this  she  reveals  to  her  father,  by  informing  him 
that  she  is  a  mother  !  P(jllio's  first  passion  rekindles  in  his  breast  at  this  her  devotion,  and  he  gladly 
ascends  the  pile  with  her,  after  she  has  recommended  her  children  and  Clotilda  to  the  care  of  her 
father. 


J)  R  A  M  AT  I  S     PE  RSON  .E. 

POLLIO,  a  Roman  Proconsul. 
FLAVIO,  his  Friend. 
OROYESO,  Arch-Druid. 
NORMA,  a  Druidess,  Daughter  of  Oroveso. 
ADALGISA,  a  young  Priestess  of  the  Temple  of  Irminsid. 
CLOTILDA,  Confidante  of  Norma. 
The  two  Children  of  Pollio  ct-  Xonna,  Druids,  Bard-^,  Euhagi,  Priestesses,  Warriors,  a.ul  Gallic  Soldiert, 


The  Scene  is  laid  hi  Gaul,  in  the  Sacred  Forest  of  the  Druids,  and  in  the  Temple  of  Irminsul. 


~^/A  i~Th 


i'2'SO 


NORMA. 


ATTO     I. 

SCENA  I. — Faresta  Sacra  de'  Druidi. — In  mezzo,  la 
Querela  d'  Irminsul ;  ul  pie  della  quale  vedesi  la 
Pietra  Druidica,  che  serve  d'  Altare. — Colli  in  dis- 
tanza  sparsi  di  Selve. — E  notte :  Icntani  fuochi 
irapelnno  dai  boschi. 

Al  sunno  di  Marcia  Religiosa  dlfilano  le  schiere  6l£ 
Gain ;  indi,  la  Proccssiane  de'  Di-uidi ;  per  ultimo 
Oroveso,  coi  Maggiori  Sacerdoti. 

Oro.         Ite  sill  colle,  o  Druidi ! 

Ite  a  spiar  ne'  Cieli ; 

Quando  LI  suo  disco  argex-teo 

La  nuova  lima  sveh, 

Ed  il  priiuier  sorriso 

Del  verginal  suo  Wso. 

Tre  volte  annunzi  il  misticc 

Bronzo  sacerdotal. 
Dm.        II  sacro  viscliio  a  mietere, 

Norma  vcrrix  ? 
Oro.  Si,  Norma. 


ACT    I. 

SCENE  I.— Sacred  Forest  of  the  Dniids.~In  t}te 
centre,  the  Oak  of  Irminsul ;  at  the  foot  of  which  is 
seen  a  Druidical  Stone,  serving  as  an  Altar. — Ililla 
in  the  distance,  partially  covered  with  trees. — It  is 
night :  lights  are  seen  among  the  trees  at  the  back. 

A  Religious  March  is  heard. — Enter  the  Gallic  Army, 
followed  by  a  Procession  of  Druids;  and,  lastly,  the 
Chief  Priests,  headed  by  Oroveso. 

Oro.     On  to  the  hills,  oh  holy  band  of  Dmids ! 

On,  as  your  duty  is,  and  watch  the  Heavens ; 
And  when  you  see  on  high  her  silvery  disk 
The  new  moon  (omen  of  success)  unveils. 
At  the  first  radiant  smUethat  beams  from  forth 
Her  virgin  face,  charming  the  sea  and  shore. 
Thrice  the  glad  tidiilgs,  spreading  all  ai'ound, 
Announce  upon  the  sacerdotal  bronze. 

Dru.    Will,  then,  to  exit  the  sacred  mistletoe. 
The  mighty  Norma  come  ? 

Oro.  Yes,  Norma  will. 


DEir  AURA  PROFETICA— on:   WITH  THY  PROPHETIC  POWER.     Chorus.     Oroveso  mid 

Druids. 
Druids.  Andnnte  Mosso 


femi!iiiip^iifiiiiif"^-^Hi|^ 


DelV  au-ra  tua  pro-fe  -   ti    -    ca,       Ter -ri-bil  DioVin -for    ■     -ma;     Sensi  Olr-min-sul,  lein- 
II'         Oh!  with     thy  pro-phe  -  tic   pow'r,  Fire  her    heart,  a- veng- ing  fate;    Dread  Ir-mtn-sul,  'tis 


i^mm^^^Min^:^m^mim',m'^ 


spi    -     -    ra,     D'o   -    dio   ai  Ro-ma  -ni    e     d'i     -     •     ra ;    Sen  -  si   che  questa  in  -  fran  -  ga  -  no, 
now  the  hour,    In   -    spire  to   Rome    e    •    -    ter  -  nal  hate  ;  Let    re  -  so  -  la  -  tion    be    her  dow'r. 


._,_>_3-J^-- 


Oroveso. 


tM^^^^W^^^^^^-^^^^^"^^^^^^^ 


Pa  -  ce   per  noi    mor  -  tal.  Si,  par  -  le  ■  ra    ter  .  ri  -  bi    •    le.        Da    ques  -  te    quer  -  cc 

Of  dead-ly  peace  to  spm-n  the  weight.  Yes,  great    God,  in    an  -  ger  speak.  From  these  thy  aii-eient 


iv-i359505 


NORMA. 


p^=Qm^^^=i^^mMm'mk^=QmB.m 


an  -  ti  -  che :  Sg<rm-bre  fa  -  ret      le    Oal    -    -    -    Uc     DalV    a  -  qui 
oaks     re  -  ply  :    And  free  this  land,  thy  ven-geancewru.ik,  Till    far   tlie 


ne  •   mi    '    -    che. 
-  man     ea  -  gles  fly. 


i 


g— • •-! — • • ■*— t-i»-r-r-» ■— ; 


E 

Yes, 


del 
let. 


mo      scti  -  do  il 
the   sound     of 


ano     -      -      no, 
thy   drejid  shield, 


Pa   -    riulfi-a  -  gov 
Like      the  roar 


del         tuo     -      no, 
of      thunder  heard. 


iOhoveso  and  CiioRUa. 


p^^^piiiii^^Mi 


Xd    ■    la 
Through  the 


cit  '  ta 
Ce  -  sa 


cfci 
rian 


-    ri, 
peal'd, 


Tre 
Re 


men  -do      ec  -  cheg 
■  e   -   cho,       Vic-to 


ry  the     woi*d ! 


Tutu. 


Luna,  ti  affretta  a  sorgere ! 
Xornia  all'  tUtar  verra. 


\^Si  allontanano  tidti  e  si  sperdono  nella  Fore^ta : 
di  quando  in  qnondo  si"  odon9  ancora  le  loro 
voci  risuonare  in  lontananza. 

SCENA  IL— PoLLiONE  e  Flavio. 

Bbrono  qn'ndl  da  tin  laio  Flavio  e  Pollione  gr(ar- 
dinghi  e  rawolti  nelle  lor  toghe. 

Pol.      Svanir  le  voci. — Dell'  orrenda  selva 

Libero  e  il  vai'co. 
Fla.  In  questa  selva  e  morte. 

Norma  tel  disse. 
Pol.  ProfFeristi  un  nome 

Che  il  cor  m'  agghiaccia. 
Fla.  O  !  che  di  tu  ? — 1'  amante — 

La  niadre  de'  tuoi  figli  I 
Pol.  A  me  non  puoi 

Far  tu  rampogna,  ch'  io  mcrtar  son  senta ; 

Ma  nel  mio  cure  e  spenta 

La  prima  fianima.    E  im  Dio  la  spense  un  Dio, 

Nemico  al  mio  riposo.     A'  pie  mi  veggo 

L'  abisso  aperto,  e  in  lui  m  awento  io  stesso. 
Fla.      Altra  ameresti  tu  ? 
Pol.  Parla  sonimesso ! 

Un' altra! — si.  Adalc,'isa! 

Tu  la  vedrai,  fior  d'  innocenza  e  riso 

Di  candoi'e  e  di  amor !     Ministra  al  tempio 

Di  questo  Iddio  di  .sangue.  clla  vi  appare 

Come  raggio  di  stella  in  Cicl  turbato. 
Fla.      Misero  amico !  e  amato 

Sei  tu  del  pari  ? 
Pol.  Io  n'  ho  fiducia. 

Fla.  E  1'  ira 

Non  tend  tu  di  Norma  ? 
'Pol.  Atroce,  orrenda ; — 

Me  la  presenta  il  mio  rimorso  estrcmo. 

Un  sogno 

Fla.  Ah!  nan-a. 

P«i.  In  rammentarlo  io  tremo  ! 

!Moco  air  altar  di  Venere, 
Era  Adalgisa  in  Roma: 
Cinta  di  Ix-nde  candide, — 
Spaiea  cU  fior  iu  eliioma. 


All.      Sweet  moon,  oh,  hasten  thy  propitious  rise ! 
Norma  will  come — she  avUI  bless  our  wishes. 
[The  whole  disperse,  and  disappear  in  the  Forest 
at  ihe  hack :  from  time  to  time  their  voices 
are  lieard  in  the  distance. 

SCENE  IL— PoLLio  and  Flavio. 

Flavio  and  Pollio  enter  cautiously,  enveloped  in 
.    their  togas. 

Pol.      All  18  hnsh'd  and  still. — In  this  dread  wood 

Our  coursci  is  free. 
Fla.  We  seek  death  in  this  forest 

So  Norma  wam'd  us. 
Pol.  Thou'st  pronounced  a  name 

Tliat  thriUs  my  heart. 
Fla.      Heavens  I  what  say'st  thoii  .^ — thylov'd  one — 

The  mother  of  thy  children  ! 
Pol.  No  reproach 

Can  fall  from  thee  that  IVe  not  desorv'd ; 

But  in  my  hapless  bosom  burns  no  longer 

My  heart's  first  flame.    A  God  so  wills — a  God, 

Foe  to  my  peace,  has  wi-ought  this  falsehood'. 

I  see  the  abyss  before  mo.  nor  woiUd  shun  it 
Fla.     What !  dost  thou  love  another  ? 
Pol.  Hush  I  spea^.:  softly  ! 

Another ! — yes.  the  enchanting  Ad.ilgisa ! 

Thou  shalt  see  this  flower  of  youth  and  beauty, 

Innocence  and  love !  A  priestess  iu  the  temple 

Of  these  Gauls'  blood-r,tain"d  God,  she  beams 

Likeabright  star  thatchem-s  the  gloomynight. 
Fla.     My  ill-fated  friend !  and  is  thy  hapless  love 

Returned  ? 
Pol.  I  trust  so. 

Fla.  But  the  jealous  wrath, 

Dost  thou  not  dread,  of  Norma  ? 
Pol.  Yes,  o'erpowering ; — 

My  deep  remorse  but  too  well  pictures  it. 

A  dream 

Fla.  Ah !  speak. 

Pol.  Its  memory  shakes  my  soul ! 

With  me  to  Venus  kneeling. 
In  Rome,  was  Adalgisa  : 

White  rcibes  her  truth  revealing, — 
Pare  nowers  hev  hair's  sole  treasure. 


NO] 

Udia  d'  Imene  i  cantici, 
Yedea  fumar  gl"  incensi  ; 
Eran  rapiti  i  sensi — 
Di  voluttade  e  amor. 
Quando  fra  noi  teiribile, 
Yiene  a  locarsi  un'  ombra, 
L'  ampio  mantel  Druidico 
Come  un  vapor  1'  ingombra 
Cade  su  V  ara  U  folgore, 
D'  un  vel  si  copre  il  giorno. 
Muto  si  spande  intorno — 
Un  sepolcrale  orror. 

Piu  r  adoi-ata  vergine 
lo  non  mi  trovo  accanto 
N'  odo  da  lunge.iiu  gemito, 
Misto  de'  figli  al  piauto, — 
Ed  una  voce  orribde, 
Echeggia  in  fondo  al  teuipio  j 
'  Norma  cosi  fa  scempiu 
Di  amante  traditor  I " 

[Squilla  il  Sacro  Bronzo. 
Odi  ? — I  suoi  riti  a  compiere, 
Norma  dal  tempio  move. 
Voci    [Lontano.'] 

Sorta  e  la  luna,  o  Druidi ! 
Ite,  profani,  altrove. 
Yieni ! — Fiiggiam  I  sorprendere, 
Scoprire  alcun  ti  puo. 
Traman  congiure  i  barbari  I 
Ma  io  li  proverro. 


Fix. 


Fla. 
Pol. 


The  hyuina  of  Hjnien  hearing, 

We  saw  the  incense  burning; 
Rapture  both  hearts  endearing — 

Thus  love  with  love  returning. 
When  straight,  while  thus  devoted. 

Between  us  rose  a  shadow, 
In  Druid  robes,  that  floiited 

Like  mists  o'er  morning  meadow. 
A  thunderbolt  the  altar 

Struck — day  became  o'erclouded. 
With  fearful  doubt  1  falter— 

Sepxilchral  awe  enshrouded. 
My  bride,  sweet  maiden  I  vaiiish'd, 

•I  heard,  with  senses  failing, 
A  gi-oan,  all  hope  that  banish'd, 

Mix'd  with  my  children's  wailing, — 
A  voice,  my  bliss  that  changes. 

The  temple's  depths  rolls  over : 
'  Thus  Norma  well  revenges 

The  treachery  of  her  lover !' 

[The  Sacred  Bronze  is  heard  sounding. 
Fla.      Hear'st  thou  that  ? — Her  rites  to  perform, 

The  Norma  thou'st  forsuken  comes. 
Voices.  [Heard  in  the  distance.] 

The  moon  appears,  oh  Druids  ! 
Hence,  profane  ones,  from  these  scenes. 
Fla.      They  come ! — Fly !  or  we  may  be  sarpris'd, 

Discover'd ;  let  us,  then.  away. 
Pol.      Barljarians  !  they  conspire  to  entrap  us, 
But  their  machinations  I  will  defeat. 


ME  PBOTEGGE—IjOTE  WILL  SHIELD.    Solo.    Pollione. 


Andante,  mf  |i^^^ 


t-f; 


di 


Me    pro    -    teg    -    ge  I  me         di    -    fen  -  de  Un     po    -    ter    mag  -  gior      di         lo     -     - 

Love  will       shield,  wiU  pro  -  tect  I  yes,  a    pow'r,  Great  -  er      far    than  they  boast,    will     de 


ro:     Eil     pen   ■   sier        di  lei    die    a   •    do    -    ro.   El'a  ■  mor,    e       Va-nior  clitr^m'in-Jiam' 

fend :  The  bi-iglit  thought  of  my  fair,    in  this   hour.  With  love's  flame»will  pro  -  tect,     vni]    be- 


-F-F- 


:3^35^ 


rJ^=A 


g|^i|=j=J^iifi^^Hp] 


mo: 
friend ! 


Di    quel    Dio     che  a     vie      con    ten     - 
Of    the      God  who'd      ri    -    val     turn — 


r^ 


de —  Quel  -  la       ver     -     gi-ne    ce    -  _ 
Turn  with     me  for  the  mai-den  di- 


&'=MMM^ifmmwMmm^^^i'm^=M 


le  rie  fo 

wood's  haunts      un 


res  -  te,      L'em-pio  al   -  ta  -  re,    Vem-pio  nl- 
ho  -  ly  I'll  burn,    And    lay  'ow     in        the. 


^^^limii^iE^^i^ias^iiiifii^^^i 


ta  -  re  abbat-te   -    ro  !        L'empio  al    -    ta  -  re  ab  -  bat  -  te  -  ro,    Vempio  al  -  ta-re  ab  -bat-   e  -  ro  1 
dusthia    foul     shrine!  I'U  burn, and    lay    low       in  the  dust,     in     the  dust, his     fou.      shrine! 


[Partono  raindamente.] 


[Exeunt,  hastily. 


NORMA. 


SCENA  m. — Dnddi  dal  fondo,  Sacerdotessc.  Guer- 
rieri,  Bardi,  Eubagi,  Sacrificatari. — E  in  mezzo,  a 
tutti,  Oeovkso. 


SCENE  in. — Enter,  from  the  hack,  Druids,  Priest- 
esseit.  Soldiers,  Bards,  Saci-ificers,  <£c. — In  the  centre, 
at  tlieir  head,  Oboveso. 


r  NORi. 

Uassi. 


NORMA  VIENE—SEK  NORMA  COMES.    Chorus. 


Ei^M^mi^Mi^M^^^^ 


Nor 
See, 


nia 

Nor 


me 
ma 


cornea  I 


Le 
She 


cin 
on 


I  1/ 
ge  la 
her  calm 

N 


chio  -  ma 
brow  wears 


La 
A 


&^W^i 


ver    - 
wi-eath. 


•    he 
of 


naai 
ver 

I 


mi  -  ste    •     -     -     ri         sa 
vainform'd,  with  myst   ■  'ry 


-    era    -    ta; 
crown'd ; 


In 
In 


sua 
her 


|M-lllSiiSM|| 


— I — r— r-^i-r~r-'-i-=T — ^~ 


man      eo   ■   me     Lu  •  na  fal  •  ca  -  ta, 
right  hand,  like    Lu  -  na,  bears 

I  I  J  '       I        I       J_    I 


L'au 
A 

I 


--{ [-- 

rea      fal     -     ce 

gold--\\Tought  sic 

I 


;§i 


'-=3 


T 


-M- 


:J=J: 


dif  -  fon    -     -    de    splen- 
kle,  spread-iiig  splen-dour 

II  II 


:p^^: 


r^^ 


_a_i.      J  III 


dor. 
round. 

J- 


nc .'  e     Za 


r— '-1 — I — P-i- 


-- j- 


-1- 


SS^tSeH 


m 


El  -  la      vie    -    ne!e     la       stel    -     la      di   Ro  -  ma, 
Lo !.  she  comes,    and  Rome's  bright  star   de  -  clines, 

III  I  I  i  I         I      J         I 


Shi    •    got  -  ti  -  ta 
Fades     ob  -  scure-ly 


"f 


-^"1 


-r^t=r 


rf-r 


11 


-fct-j— J_J-,_j_4_,_J_UJ_j_J_J_J_,_J_.Lj_j-,_3_^ 
1^=1=?=  aStr=|iS=&3£  E|,=f  =1=  5i=S  =;=i ;  FJ^t 
9' 1 — r — 1—^-1 — I — *-T— 1 — '-1 — r— r-^-r — r — ,' — f     i^"^ 


CO   -  pre  d'un      ve   -    lo. 
dark  -  ness   and      night. 

^     1     1     I   ^^— P 


Ir  •  min 
Ir  -  min 

'        I 


•    s^d    cor-rei  cam    -    -  pi     del  Cie    -    lo, 

-   sill     in  the  vault -ed     sky  now  shines, 

III  I           I           I           I  H              i 

111  I               T      -F 


Qiial       CO    •     ' 
Hor  -  ror!    a 


-1- 


NORMA. 


:pa. 


:J=J: 


-1- 


1== 


J=J: 


:qj=p^p_{ 


me    -    to,         fo    -    rie    -    ra   d'or     •     ror;        Qual  co 

CO  -   met,   men's  souls       to     af  -    fright ;    Hor  -  ror !    a 


J= 


:JJ=J: 


f^^^ 


r- 

me    -    ta,      fo- 
mec,  men'i 

I 

1- 


^E||3W=^: 


J=J=,=J=J 


^J- 


_J 1      :L.i2 m — J— r-r-l r» •- v 

* 1 — 1— ^ — j 1 — c_-,  — I ^_r 


rte    •   ra    dor  -  ror,         co    •    me    -    ta,    fo  -   rie     -     ra    tVor  -  ror  I  fo  -  rie  -   ra,      fo- 

souls     to      af-fricflit,  men's  souls     to      af-fifi^ht;  Hor -ror!   hor  -  ror!  a       co  -  met,  men' 


-i 


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->H r« ri ^--=» »— r- 


>=i=i=F^: 


1 


SOENA  IV. — Norma  in  mezzo  alle  sue  Mlnistre : 
ha  sciolti  i  capegli — la  fronte  circondata  di  una 
corona  di  verbena — ed  armata  la  mano  di  una  falce 
d'  oro. — Si  colloca  sulla  Platra  Druidica.  e  volge 
(jli  occhi  d'  intorno  come  inspirata. — Tutti  fanno 
silenzio. 

Nor.     Sediziose  voci : 

Yoci  di  gaerra  arv'i  chi  alzar  si  attenta  ? 
Presso  all'  ara  del  Dio  ?  v'  ha  chi  presume 
Dettar  responsi  alia  vegente  Norma  ? 
E  di  Roma  affrettar  il  fato  arcano — 
Ei  non  dipende  da  poter  umano. 
E  fino  a  quando  oppressi 
Ne  vorrai  tu  ?     Contaminate  assai 
Non  fiir  le  patrie  selve  e  i  templi  aviti 
DaU'  aquile  latine.     Omai  di  Brenno ! 
Oziosa  non  puo  starsi  la  spada  ? 
Si  brandisca  una  volta ! 

E  infranta  cada ! 
Infranta,  si !  se  alcun  di  voi  snudarla 
Anzi  tempo  pretende  :  ancor  non  sono 
Delia  nostra  vendetta  i  di  maturi — 
Delia  Sicambre  scuri 
Sono  i  pili  Romani  ancor  piu  forti. 
Tutti.  E  che  ti  annunzia  il  Dio  ?     Parla,  quai  soi'ti ! 
Nor.     lo  nei  volumi  arcani 

Leggo  del  Cielo,  in  pagine  di  morte 
Delle  siipei'ba.  Roma  e  scritto  il  nome  : 
EUa  un  gi  )rna  niorra— ma  non  per  voi ! 
Morra  pei  vizi  suoi. 


Oro. 


Tutti 
Nor. 


SCENE  IV. — Enter  Nqema,  in  the  midst  ofattcndnnt 
Priestesses :  her  hair  streaming  wildly  over  her 
shoulders — her  forehead  bound  by  a  wreath  of  the 
mystic  vervain — in  her  hand  a  golden  sicMe. — She 
ascends  with  a  solemn  air  the  Dniidical  Stone,  and 
glances  around,  as  one  inspired  with  prophetic  power. 
— All  maintain  a  deep  silence. 


Nor. 


Oro. 


All. 
Nor. 


All. 

Nor. 


I  hear  seditious  shouts,  and  cries  for  war: 

Why  rise  they  at  the  altar  of  our  Deity ! 
Who  at  this  altar  dares  presume  to  dictate 
Dread  fate's  responses  to  all-seeing  Norma  ? 
Untimely  speeding  Rome's  apf)ointed  doom — 
Her  fate  depends  not  upon  human  agency. 
When  will  the  burdens  that  oppress  us  end  ? 
Devour'd,  contaminated,  we  enough  have  seen 
Our  country's  sacred  woods  and  temples 
By  Rome's  fierce  eagles.    Sword  of  Brennus  t 
Shalt  thou  ing'oriously  and  idly  rest! 
It  must  again  be  drawn ! 

Drawn  to  be  broken ! 
Yes.  broken  !   should  there  any  here  presume 
To  draw  it  forth  ere  fate's  appointed  hour : 
The  day  of  retribution  yet  is  distant — 
The  dreaded  battle-axe  of  the  Sicambri  has  no  \ 
Yet  strength  to  turn  the  Roman  javelins. 
What  does  our  Deity  reveal  of  fate  ." — speak! 
In  the  dread  pages  of  the  mystic  volumes, 
In  death -fi-aught  characters  inscribed, 
The  name  of  proud  imperial  Rome  I  read, 
She'U  one  day  fall — ^but  'twiU  not  be  by  you  I 
Through  her  own  vices  'tis  that  she  wUl  perish,, 


NOEMa. 


Qual  oonsimta  morra !     L'  ora  aspettatij- 
Ij'  ora  fatal  che  cuuipia  il  gran  docreto. 
Pace,  y'  intiiuo !  o  il  saoro  vischio  io  niieto. 

^Falchia  il  Vuichio,  le  Saccrdotesse  lo  raccolgono 
in  canestri  di  viviini. — Norma  si  avanza, 
0  etcnde  Ic  braceia  al  Cielo.  —  La  Luna 
gplende  in  tutia  la  sua  luce. — Ihitti  si  pros- 
trano. 


Consumed  to  dust !     The  hour,  then,  wait — 
The  fated  hour  this  great  dceree  foretells. 
Peace,  all !  I  go  the  sacred  boughs  to  gather. 
[Noi-vtia  cuts  the  sacred  branches  of  the  Mistletoe, 
which  the  Priestesses  receive  and  deposit  in 
their  consecrated  baskets. — She  then  advances, 
npraising  her  arms  on  high. — At  ihismotneni 
the  Moon  breaks  fyrth  in  full  efjulgciice.— 
All  kneel  reverentially. 


Andant«. 


CASTA  Diy:4-STAINLESS  GODDESS.    Aik.    Norma. 


eta     Di 
less    God 


va, 
dess, 


ca     -     sta    Di  -  va, 
stain  -  less  God-dess, 


die       in  ■  air- 
whose   brilliance 


^^^^^^^^^m^m^^^^ 


gen     -     - 
Deam     - 


ti 


Que 
O'er 


ste      sa 
these   an 


ere-         que    -    ste      sa  -  ere,   que   -  ste 
cient,       o'er     these  aa  -  cient  trees,  these 


m^^^^^^m^^^Wt 


sa   -ere     an  -  ti  -  che      pi    -    ante, 
an  -  cient    trees,         is     stream  -  ing, 


A     noi 
Oh,    on 


vol 


-•-^ 


il  bel       sem- 

with       fa  -  vour 


^    .^rv   .^r^   .^ 


-I i^-l 1 1 ^-^-U-1- ^ P y 1 1^__^2       iB-<*-^-[ Jt 


bian    •     te ; 
gleam  -  ing; 


A      noi   vol-gi,    a     noi  vol-giil    bel       sem     -     bian 
Oh,    on      us,         oh,  on   us  with     fa   -    voui*      gleam 


^^?^?^^^Vi-: 


te,  il      bel      sem  -bian  •  te   Sen  -  za     nu  -  be    e    sen    -    za      vel ! 
ing.     Free  from    clouds,        pro  -  pi  -  tious,  pro  -  pi  -  tious  shine ! 


Tutti. 


Tidti 


Nor. 


Tempra  tu  de'  cori  ardenti  ! 
Tempra  aiicor  lo  zelo  andace ! 
Spargi  in  terra  qiiella  pace, 
Che  regnar  tu'fai  nel  Ciel. 
A  noi  volgi  il  bel  sembiante, 
Senza  nube  e  senza  vel  I 
Fine  al  rito  ;  e  il  sacro  bosco 
Sia  disgombro  dai  proiani ; 
Quaudo.  il  Nume  iratu  e  fosco, 
Chiegga  il  sangue  dei  Romani, 
Dal  IJruidico  delubro 
La  mia  voce  tuuiiera. 
Tiioni  !  0  alcnn  del  popol  empio 
Non  isfiigga  id  giusto  sccmpio ! 
E  primier  da  noi  percosso 
II  Froconsole  cadrfi. 
S"i,  cadrii,  punirlu  io  posso. 
(Ma  punirlo  il  our  non  sa.) 


Oh !  calm  thou  hearts,  too  ardent  burning ! 
Oh  I  calm  thou  zeal,  all  prudence  spva-niug ! 
Then,  peace  on  earth  again  returning, 
Speed  on  thi'ough  Heaven  with  ray  divine. 

All.       Oh  I  on  us,  with  favour  gleaming, 
Free  from  clouds,  propitious  shine ! 

Nor.     The  rites  are  finish'd ;  and  the  sacred  wood 
Must  now  be  clear'd  of  all  profane  intruders; 
When  he,  the  Deity  of  wrath  and  gloom. 
Shall  decree  the  ensanguin'd  fidl  of  Rome, 
Then,  from  the  Druid's'  consecrated  altar, 
My  summoning  voice  in  thundershaU  keheard- 

AIL      Let  it  be  heard  I  and  of  the  impious  race 
Not  one  shall  escape  our  vengeance ! 
Beneath  our  retribiitive  weapons 
Sli;ill  the  Proconsul  be  the  first  to  fall. 

Nor.     Yes,  first  to  fall  I  I  have  pow'r  to  liunish  him. 
l^But  how,  alas !  my  weak  heai-t  knows  not.) 


NORMA.  9 

AKl  BELLO,  A  ME  BITOBNA.—AB.\  DEAR  ONE,  AS  TRUE  RETURNING.    Aiu.    Norma. 


:E= 


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N  > 


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;i 


J.7i .'  bel-lo      a    me   ri-tor-na,  Del      fi  -   do  a  - 'mor  pri  -  mie    -    -    ro  f  E  con-tro  il    mon-doin- 
Ah !  dear  one,  as   tvae  re-tvu-ning,  As     wlien  witli  lovefii'st  bm'n    -    ing;      Norma,  the  whole  world 


lo    a        me 
Ah !    dear  one,  to    me 


>eziH-=:^-fep=g^| 


f^^t 


11 


ing.    With      love   se  -  rene 


re     - 
yeai-n 


no; 
inga: 


E      vi    -    ta       net  tuo 
My  breast  shall  find  life's 


^^^.s_^_^^t^^^ 


pa 
Hea    -    ven, 


dawn  -  ing 


i'wo,    Sei  lento,  si,  sei  lento, 
O  giomo  di  vendetta  ; 
Ma  irato  il  Dio  t'  affretta 
Che  n  Tebro  condanno. 

[Norma  parte ;  e  tutte  in  ordine  la  seguono. 

SCENA  Y.—Entra  Adalgisa. 
Ada.    Sgombra  e  la  sacra  selva, — 

Couipiuto  il  rito.     Sospirar  non  vista 
Alfin  pu3s'  io,  qui,  dove  a  me  s'  ofForse 
La  prima  volta  quel  fatal  Romano 
Che  mi  rende  i-ubeUa  al  tcmpio.  al  Dio. 
Fosse  r  ultima  ;dmen  ! — Vano  desio ! 
Irresistibil  forza 

Qui  mi  strascina :  e  di  quel  caro  aspetto 
II  cor  si  pasce ;  e  di  sua  cara  voce 
L'  aura  die  spira  mi  repete  il  suono. 

[CoiTe  a  prostrarsi,  sulla  Pietra  d'  Irminsul. 
Deh  !  protegguni,  o  Dio !  perduta  io  sono. 

SCENA  YI. — PoLLiONE,  Flavio,  e  detta. 
Pol.     Eccola !  va !  mi  lascia — 

Ragion  non  odo.  [Flavio  parte. 

Ada.  [Veggendolo  shifjuttita.'}  O!  Pollione 
Pol.      -'  "     "■  •       " 

.IfZa. 


Vol. 


Ada. 


Che  veggo  ? — Piangevi  tu  ? 

Pregava.     Ah,  t'  allontana — 

Pregar  mi  lascia ! 

Un  Dio  tu  preghi  atroce, 

Crudele,  awerso  al  tuo  desire  e  al  mio  1 

O.  mia  dUetta !  il  Dio 

Che  invocav  devi  e  Amor! 

Amor  !  deh  I  taci ! 
Ch'  io  piij  non  t'  oda.         [Si  allontana,  da  lui. 


%   -   mo, 
in    thee* 


Cho.     Lingering  and  slow-paced, 

Oh  day  of  vengeance,  thou  approachest, 
But  the  angry  God  shall  haste  thee. 
That  the  Tiber  hath  condemned. 

[Exit  Norma;  the  rest  follow  iyi  procession. 

SCENE  Y.— Enter  Adalgisa. 

Ada.    The  sacred  wood  is  free  from  aU  intruders. 

The  rites  performed.     I  here  may  sigh  unseen, 
Within  these  shades  that  treacherous  gave 
The  fii'st  rencontre  with  that  fatal  Roman, 
Who  made  me  false  ahke  to  vows  and  God. 
Would  that  time  were  the  last ! — Yain  desire ! 
A  force  irresistible 

Impels  me  hither  :  his  seductive  looks 
My  heart  entrance  ;  and  of  his  dear  voice 
The  air  I  breathe  loves  to  repeat  the  sound. 

[Prostrates  herself  at  the  Altar  of  Irminsul. 
Protect  thou  me,  oh  God,  or  I  am  lost ! 

SCENE  YI. — PoLLio,  Flavio,  and  the  same. 
Pol.      'Tis  she  I  leave  me !  vain's  remonstrance  now — 

I'm  deaf  to  reason.  [Exit  Flavio. 

Ada.  [Disturbed  at  the  sight  of  Pollio.]  Pollio! 
Pol.      What  see  I  ? — In  tears,  love  ? 
Ada.     1  was  praying.     Leave  me.  leave  me — 

Leave  me  to  prayer  ! 
Pol.     Prayer  to  a  a  ruthlesc  God, 

Who  fro\viis  on  the  desires  of  two  fond  hearts ! 

Oh.  my  belov'd,  my  beautiful !  the  God 

Thou  should'st  invoke,  is  Love ! 
Ada.  Love!  hush!  no  more! 

I  dare  not  stay  to  listen.  [Betreating. 


10 

Pol. 
Ada. 


Pol 
Ada. 
Pol. 


Ada. 


Pol. 

Ada. 
Pol. 
Ada. 
Pol. 


Ada. 
Pol. 


NORMA 


E  vuoi  fugglrmi  ?  e  dove 

Fuggir  Yxioi  tu  ch'  io  non  ti  segua  P 

Al  tempio ; 

Ai  sacri  altari  ch'  io  sposar  giurai ! 

Gli  altari  I — e  il  nostro  amor  ? 

Io  r  obbliai ! 

Va.  cnulole — e  al  Dio  spietato, 

Offri  iu  ilute  il  saiigue  mio — 

Tiitto.  ah  !  tutto  ei  sia  vorsato; 

Ma  lasciarti  non  poss'  io. 

Sol  promessa  al  IJio  tu  fosti^ 

Ma  il  tuo  cuore  a  nic  si  die. 

Ah  [  non  sai  quel  che  uii  costi; 

Perch'  io  mai  viuunzi  a  te. 

E  tu  pure,  ah  !  tu  non  sai ! 

Quanto  costi  a  me  clolentel 

All'  altare  che  altraggiai. 

Licta  anilava  o<l  innooente ! 

11  pensioro  al  Ciel  s'  ergea; 

II  mio  Dio  veileva  iu  Ciel ! 

Or  per  me — spergiura  e  rea — 

Cielo  e  Dio  ricopre  un  vel. 

Ciel  piu  puro.  e  Dei  migliori, 

T'  oifro  iu  Roma,  ov'  io  mi  reco. 
[Colpita.]  Parti  forse ! 

Ai  nuovi  albori. 

Parti ! — ed  io  ? 

Tu  rieni  meco. 

De'  tuoi  riti,  e  amor  piu  santo : 

A  lui  cedi,  ah !  cedi  a  me ! 
[Pih  comosso.]  Ah  !  non  dirlo ! 

H  diro  tanto, 

Che  ascoltato  io  sia  da  te. 


Pol 


Would'st  fly  from  me  P 
Wliero  canst  thou  fly  that  I  cannot  follow  P 

Our  temple : 
Those  sacred  aJtara  I  to  espouse  have  sworn  !l 
The  altar ! — and  our  love  ? 

I  have  forgotten  it  * 
Go.  cnK'l  beauty — go  to  thy  fell  Deity, 
And  otl'cr  up  in  Kacrifice  my  Ijlood — 
To  the  last  drop  I— all.  all — let  it  be  shedj 
For  leave  thee  I  cannot,  whate'er  the  cosfc. 
Thou  wert  but  promis'd  to  thy  tyrant  God — 
Not  so  to  me :  thy  heart  to  me  was  given. 
Ah  !  none  can  teU  what  I  for  thee  wouW  suffer 
No  power  shall  force  me  to  renounce  thy  love 
And  who  can  say  what  I  have  staked  for  thee 
What  grief  thy  fatal  love  has  cost  me ! 
To  the  sacred  altar  I  have  outrag'd, 
Cheerful  and  innocent  of  heart  I  came ! 
My  every  thought  I  gave  to  Heaven  alone ! 
And  I  in  Heaven  with  joy  behold  my  God  1 
But  now  I — lost,  perjur'd,  guilty  thing, 
Heaven  and  my  Deity  see  no  longer. 
Heavens  far  purer,  Gods  more  just, 
To  Rome  invite  thee,  whither  now  I  go. 

Ada.   [Amazed.']  Depart,  said'st  thou  ? 

Pol.  Yes,  at  the  da%vn  of  day. 

Ada.    Depart ! — and  I  ? 

Pol.  Thou  must  go  with  me. 

Than  thy  fell  rites,  love's  are  holier  far : 
Yield  to  love !  and,  yielding,  yield  to  me ! 

Ada.  [Much  agitated.]  Ah  !  urge  not  thus  ! 

Pol  Still  shall  I  urge. 

Until  thou,  pitying,  dost  consent. 


Ada. 

Pol. 
Ada. 
Pol 


Ada. 


Pol 


VIENI  IN  ROMA— COMB  TO  ROME.    Duet.    Adalgisa  and  Pollio. 
PoLr.io.  Piu  mosso  assai. 


Vieni  in     Bo  •  ma,   ah  I  vieni,o  cara  :  Do    -    v'e     a-mor,  do-v'e  amore,egioja,e  vi    -    ta,      I  -  neb- 
Come  to  Rome  with  me,     my    fair  -  est:  Love,  and  joy,    and    life,         my      dear -est.   All  will 

hriam  nostr'    al-mea  gara, — Del     con    -    -    ten -to,  del   con-ten-toacuinein-vi  -  ta.     Vo-cein 
there  trans -poi-t,    de  -  light    us,— Bliss,  and     sweet     con    -    tent,         in     -     vite   us.        A 

cor     par    •     lar        non      sen    -     -    ti,      Che    pro  -  met  -  te  e-ter    -    no       ben ;  Ah !   da 

voice  must  in     thy  heart  be  speak     -     ing,   Pro  -  mis  -  ing    e     -     ter  -  nal     bHss ;       Such  sweet 

fe  •  de  ai  dol  -  ciac-  cen  -  ti,  Spo   •   so        tuo —  spo  -  so   tuo   mi  stringi  al  sen !  Ciel !     co- 

ne-cents  still   there    seek-   ing.       Be      mine — yield    Hea-ven  in   thy  kiss!         Heav'nslthe 


-\-> 


_>_js.f:>._ 


1 — F^^P — /-^-^ ^ — ^-'-1 ■ — ^-ti'-- '^^^^-tp* =j ^ 

81   par-lar     Va-scol-to,  Sem   •  pre,     o-vunque,    al       tem-pioi   •   stes  -  so.  Con    que- 

■words  I   now  hear  sound  -  ing,    Are    our  tern  -  pie's  pray'rs  con  -  founding,    Those  eyes,  that 


NORMA. 


gh  occhi  con  quel       vol   •  to — Fin  sulVa-rafin  svlVa-ra  il    vag.go     im  -  prcs  -  so.         M 
face,  are  ne-ver     from   me— E'en  at         the        al  -  tar  they  beam    on      me.  Heav'nsi 

J pa^ ■■ ^ ^S_ 


:t-t 


i4-± 


P 


on  .  fa   del       mio     piav,   -   to,      Del      mio     dual       vit  -  to  -  ria  ot  -  tien.  Ciel ! 

words    I    now    hear    sound  -  ing,     Do      our      tern  -  pie's  pray'rs  con  -  found.      Those  eyes, 


mi 
that 


togli    al      dol-ce  in 
face,  are     ne  -  ver 


can  -  to,     0  Ver    -    ror, 

from      me —    Save      me  from  the   spell 


Ver     ror    per  -  do  -  na  al 
by  which  I'm 


men. 
bound 


Pol. 
Ada. 

Pol. 
Ada. 
Pol. 

Ada. 
Pol. 
Ada. 
Pol. 

Ada. 


Adalgisa ! 

Ah  !  mi  risparmi 
Tua  pieta  maggior  cordoglio ! 
Adalgisa  !  e  vuoi  lasciarmi  ? 
Nol  poss'  io! — Segiiir  ti  voglio ! 
Qui,  domani,  aU'  ora  istessa, 
Verrai  tu  ? 

Ne  fo  promessa 
Giura ! 

Giuro ! 

O !  mio  contento ! 
Ti  rammenta! 

Ah !  mi  rammento ! 
Al  mio  Dio  saro  spergiura, 
Ma  fedele  a  te  saro  ! 
L'  amor  tuo  mi  rassicura, 
E  n  tuo  Dio  sfidar  sapro.  [Partono. 

SCENA  VII. — Abitazione  di  Norma. 

Norma  e  Clotilde,  recano  per  tnano  duepiccoli 
Fanciulli. 


Pol. 


Nor. 
Clo. 

Nor. 


Clo. 

Nor. 
Clo. 
Nor. 


Clo. 
Nor. 


Clo. 
Nar. 


Vanne !  e  li  cela  entrambi ! — oltre  1'  usato 

10  tremo  d'  abbracciarU. 

E  qua!  ti  turba 
Strano  timor,  che  i  figli  tuoi  rigetti  ? 
Non  so ; — diversi  affetti 

Strazian  quest'  alma  :  amo  in  iin  punto  ed  odio 
I  figli  mioi — soffro  in  vederli,  e  sott'ro 
S'  io  non  li  veggo ;  non  provato  mai 
Sento  ud  dUetto  ed  un  dolore  insieme 
D'  esser  lor  madre. 

E  madre  sei  ? 

Nol  fossi ! 
Qual  rio  contrast© ! 

Immaginar  non  puossi  ? 
O,  mia  Clotilde !  I'ichiamato  al  Tebro, 
fe  PoUione. 

E  teco  ei  parte  ? 

Ei  tace 

11  suo  pensier.     O !  s'  ei  fuggir  tentasse, 
E  qui  lasciai-mi — se  obbliar  potesse 
Questi  suoi  figli ! 

E  n  credi  tu  ? 

Non  r  oso ! 
E  troppo  tormentoso — 
Ti'oppo  orrendo  un  tal  dubbio. 
Alcun  s'avanza :  va — li  cala. 
[Norma  Uabbraccia,  Clotilde  parte  coi  Fanciulli. 


Pol. 
Ada. 

Pol. 
Ada. 
Pol. 

Ada. 
Pol. 
Ada. 
Pol. 

Ada. 


Adalgisa ! 

Ah !  spare  me, 
In  pity,  from  a  greater  sorrow ! 
Adalgipa,  canst  tbuu  leave  me? 
No,  I  cannot ! — I  will  follow  thee. 
Here,  then,  to-mon-ow,  at  this  hour. 
Say,  wilt  thou  come  ? 

Thou  hast  my  promise. 
But  swear ! 

/  swear ! 

Oh!  height  of  joy } 
Remember ! 

Ah !  I  shall  remember ! 
To  my  God  shall  I  be  perjur'd. 
But  I  shall  be  true  to  thee ! 
Pol.      By  thy  love  I'm  cheer 'd,  urg'd  onward, 

Defying  thus  thy  Deity.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  Yll.—Norma's  Dwelling. 
-Enfer  Norma  and  Clotilde,  leading  btj  the  hand  two 

young  Children. 
Nor.     Away !  conceal  them ! — an  tmusual  terror 

Thrills  me  as  I  embrace  them. 
Clo.  What  is't  moves  thee. 

That  thus  thou  driv'st  from  thee  thy  children  r 
Nor.     I  cannot  tell;— conteu ding  feelings  rend 

My  ill-us'd  soul :  at  once  1  love  and  hate 

My  hapless  children — seeing  them,  I  suffer* 

Yet  in  their  absence  suffering, 

I  prove  alike  a  pleasure  and  a  pain — 

I  feel  that  I'm  their  mother. 
Clo.  Their  mother  ? 

Nor.  Would  I  were  not^ 

Clo.     Heart-rending  conflict ! 
Nor.  Who  can  pictui'e  it  ? 

Oh,  my  Clotilde !  recalled  to  the  Tiber, 

PoUio  departs. 
Clo.  With  you  ? 

Nor.  He  has  not  said  so 

He  hides  his  thoughts.    Oh !  should  he  resolve 

To  leave  me  here  alone — should  he  forget 

His  helpless  childi-en ! 
Clo.      You  cannot  think  he'd  act  so  ? 
Nor.  No,  I  dare  not ! 

Ah !  too  toi-menting  to  my  faithful  heart — 

Too  horrible,  I  feel  this  doubt. 

Some  one  advances  :  go — hide  them. 
INorma  embraces,  and  Clotide  retires  with  Children 


NORMA. 


SCENA  VIIT.— Adaloisa  e  Norma. 

Kor.     Atlals^isa ! 

Ada.  [Da  imlano.]  (Alma,  costanzal) 

Nor      T  iiioltni — o  fjiovinetta — 

T'  inoltia— o  perclu"  troiiii? 

UJii  cbo  <,'rave  a  mo 

St'greto  i)ale8ar  tu  voglia. 
Ada.     P.  vor !— Ma.  tlob  !  ti  spofjlia 

Delia  celeste  auateritii,  die  flplcndc 

Negli  <H'ohi  tiioi— tlammi  eorraggio,  ond'io 

Seiiz'  alciui  velu  ti  palesi  il  core. 

[St  prostra. — Norma  la  solleva. 
Nor.     Mi  abbraocia— o  parla :  che  t'  aflligge  ? 
Ada.  [Dopo  nn  vtoniento  <Z'  cititazione.]  Amore  ! 

"Non  t'  irritar  I — Lunga  sta;^ion  pugnai 

Per  soffocarlo — i>i,'iu  mia  iuiza  ei  viiiso  ! 

Ogui  rimorso Ah  !  tu  non  sal  pur  Jiarxsi 

Quill  giui-amento  io  fea ! — fuggir  dal  teuipio, — 

Tra<lir  V  altare  a  cui  son  io  legata,— 

Abbandouar  la  patria ! 
Nor.  Abi,  sventurata ! 

Del  tiio  primier  mattino. 

Gia  turbato  e  il  sereno ;  e  come  e  quando 

Nacque  tal  fiauima  in  te  ? 
Ada.  Da  un  solo  sguardo — 

Da  un  sol  sosjm-o,  nella  sacra  selva, 

A'  pie  dell'  ara  ov'  io  pregava  il  Lio. 

Tremai,  sid  labbro  mio 

Si  arresto  la  pregliicra ;  e  tntta  assoi*ta 

In  quel  leggiadro  aspetto,  un  altro  Cielo 

Mirar  credetti  ! — un  altro  Cielo  in  lui ! 
Nor.     (O  rimembranza!  io  lui 

Cosi  rapita  al  sol  niii-arlo  in  volto.) 
Ada.     Ma  non  mi  ascolti  tu  ? 
Nor.  Scgui — t'  ascolto. 

Ada.     Sola,  furtiva,  al  tempio 

Io  r  aspettai  sovente  ! 

Ed  ogui  di  pill  fenida 

Crcbbe  la  fiamma  ai'dente. 
Nor.  (Io  stessa,  anch'  io 

Arsi  cosl — r  incanto  sue  fu  il  mio.) 
Ada.     Vieni !  ci  dicea.  concedi 

Ch'  io  mi  ti  prostri  ai  piedi, 

Lascia  che  V  aura  spiri, 

De'  dolci  tuoi  sasjiiri ! 

Del  tuo  brl  cii'.i  le  aneUa 

Dammi  poter  baciar  ? 
Nor.  (0,  can  aceenti! 

Cosi  U  profferia — 

Cosi  trovava  del  mio  c<u-  la  via.) 
Ada.     Dolci  qual  arpa  armonica, 

M"  eran  le  sue  j'lirole: 

Negli  occhi  suoi  sorridere 

Vedea  piu  bello  uu  sole. 

Io  fui  perduta  e  il  s(^no. 

D'  uopo  bo  del  tuo  perdono : 

Deh !  tu  mi  reggi  e  guida, — 

Me  rassioura,  o  sgrida, — 

Salvami  da  me  stessa, — 

Salvami  dal  mio  cor ! 
Nor.  Ah !  tergi  il  pianto : 

Alma  non  tro%i  di  pietade  avara. 

Te  ancor  nou  lega  eteruo  node  aU'  ara. 


SCENE  VIII. — Adaloisa  and  Norma. 

AW.     Adalgisa ! 

Ada.  [In  the  distance^  (Soid,  be  firm  I) 

Nor.     Approach — young  virgin,  fear  not — 
Advance — why  tremble  ? 
I've  lieard  that  some  grave  matter 
To  me  in  seci'et  thou  woidd'st  impart. 

Ada.    'Tif.  true  ! — But,  ah  !  veil  awlii'e 

That  heavenly  austerity  that  reigns 
Within  thy  eyes — inspire,  encourage  me. 
That,  uurestrain'd,  I  may  unfold  my  heart. 
[Adalgisa  kneels  loivhj — Nnrtna  raises  hei\ 

Nor.     Embrace  me — speak :  what  alilicts  thee  ? 

Ada.  [After  a  moment's  hesitation.]  Love! 

Be  not  angry  ! — Long  I  struggled 
To  repress  it— but  in  vain,  lor  it  conqucr'd ! 

AU  my  remorse Ah  !  thou  little  thinkcst» 

What  oath  I've  sworn  ! — to  fly  our  temple, — 
Betray  the  altar  unto  which  I'm  bound, — 
Forsake  my  country ! 

Nor.  Lost,  unhappy  one ! 

Thus,  so  early  in  thy  life's  young  morning, 
'J'hy  calm  is  o'ercast ;  but  when,  and  how. 
Was  bom  this  flame  in  thee  ? 

Ada.  'Twas  with  one  look— 

A  single  sigh,  within  our  sacred  forest. 
As  at  the  altar  I  implor'd  our  God. 
Ti-embling,  alas  !  I  lelt  upon  my  lips 
The  pray'r  arrested — die;  and,  all  ab-orb"d. 
In  his  bright  countenance  another  Heaven  I 
I  saw. — Ah,  how  believe  1 — another  Heaven  i 

Nor.     (Sad  reminiscence !  'twas  thus  that  I 

Enraptur'd  felt  when  I  fu-st  beheld  him.) 

Ada.     But  thou  dost  not  hear  ? 

Nor.  Go  on — I  listen  to  thee-. 

Ada.     Alone  and  secret,  in  our  temple 

I  met  him  oft — remorse  and  shame ! 
Each  day  more  fervent  grew  my  passion. 
Each  day  increas'd  my  bosom's  flame. 

Nor.  ('Twas  thus,  I  in  my  pride 

Was  charm'd — eigh'd  as  she  sigh'd.) 

Ada.     Oh,  come !  he  said,  permission  grant  me 
Lowly  to  kneel  before  thy  virgin  feet, 
Leaving  the  passing  zephyrs  to  enchant  me, 
As  sweetly  they  thy  honey 'd  siuhs  repeat ! 
And  thy  celi'stial  brow,  best  bl.ss  ! 
Grant  me,  oh  ecstacy  of  joy  !  t(j  kiss  ! 

Nor.     (Dear  accents !  remember'd  but  too  well ! 
Such  words  he  softly  breath 'd  to  me — 
And  found  to  my  poor  heart  the  way!) 

Ada.     Sweet  as  the  notes  of  the  harmonious  harp, 
FLjw'd  the  measure  of  his  love-fraught  v/ord? 
His  eyes,  his  conquest  aiding,  brightly  suiil  'J, 
More  beauteous  than  the  noon-day  Sun. 
I  became  lost,  such  ardent  passion  breathing 
Befriend  me — grant  thy  gracious  pardon  I 
Oh  !  in  thy  virtue,  be  my  help,  my  guide- 
Kindly  console  me,  or  as  kind  reprove, — 
Stretch  forth  thy  hand,  and  save  me, — 
Save  me  from  my  heart ! 

Nor.  Ah !  dry  thy  tears  .i 

Thou  find'st.in  mine  a  soul  not  pro>)f  to  pit/. 
Thou'i-t  not  eternally  bound  to  our  altar. 


NORMA. 
AE!  81,  FA  CORE— OKI  CHEER  THEE.    Duet.     Norma  ancZ  Adalgisa. 

NoEMA.  Pin  animato.  i»^         -a-  3 


13 


Jh!      si,       fa       core!  e    ah  -  brae  -  cia    -    mi —  Per  -  do  -  no  eti    com -plan     -     go;       Dai 
Oh  !    cheer  thee,  -weep    not !     come  to    my  ai-ms —  I      par  -  don  thee,  thy   sor-row  chase ;  From 


:t-- 


Liiz=;^=t^^iz=±r=: 


vo   -   a         tuoi      ti  li    -    he   -   ro.  I        tuoi       le    -    ga    -    m,i      io  /ran  -  go.  Al 

all      thy    vows      I  free     thy  chai-ms,     The    bonds  that    bind     thee  se  -  ■"er.         Love 


ca  -  ro    og  -  get  -  to       u   -   ni     -     -     -     -     ta —    Vi  -  vraife     •     -     -    li  -  ce  .  .  .  an   •  cor ;  Al 

gont-ly  .  .  .  chain-ing,  thy  dear    one    em -brace — In  joy    live,       in    ;oy    live,  ....     e-ver;     Love 

ca     -     ro  og-gct.  .  .  .   tou  -  ni     -     -     -     ■ 
;ent     -     ly  chain-ing,  thy     dear       one  ei 


ca     -     ro  og-get.  .  .  .   tou  -  ni     -     -     -     -    ta,       Vi-  vrai  fe-li     -     ce  an  -  cor,     .     .     .  vi 

gent     -     ly  chain-ing,  thy     dear       one  embrace.  In  joy    Hve,    in  joy  live     .    .  e  -  ver,     .     .     . 


^  •  Vi- 


vra      ...      .     %      an  -  cor,     .     vi     -     vra 

.     .    in    joy injoy,     .     . 

\      \  .  Adaloisa. 


fe     -     •     lice  an- 
in  joy       live 


Ri    '    pe    •    ti   0      Ciel,      ri    .    pe    •    ti   -    mi !      Si        lu  •  singh  -  ieri,     ae- 
e  -  ver !  Re    -    peat,  repeat    thou,  great     Hea  -  vens !  yes,     Those    ac  -  cents  sweet,  and 

-      ti;         Per        te,       per      te        s^ac    -    que  •  ta    -    no,        I        lun  -  ghi     miei    tor  - 
ow    chase;  Thi'ough thee,  pure    calm    my       hopes  will   bless.    My     deart  ft-om   woe    shall 


cen 

sor  ■ 


e     col   '    -    paa- 


men-ii, —        Tu     ren-di     a     me  la       vi ta,     be    nan  e     cot,   -    -    pc 

se-ver,—    Life's  ear    -     ly  morning,   re-'stor'd  through  thy   grace,  If    pas  -  sion  be  guilt     -     less, 


'-^—y- — — 
mor ;  Tu    ren    -    di  a  me  la 


Fu    ren    -    diamela  vt     -      --"'"'     ta,  Se     non  e       col    •    paa- 

fe's  ear     -     ly  morning  re   -   stor'd    thro'  thy  gi-ace.       If  pas-sion     be      guilt  .  less, 


pas 


'^^m^m^^^^^mm^ 


non.,    non    .     .       e      col  •  paa  •  mor. 
sion     be    guilt     -     less,  e-ver. 


14 

Nor. 

Ada. 


Ma  di* — r  amato  pioviino, 
yiiale  fr.i  iioi  si  ui>ma  r 
Ciilla  oi  non  ebbe  in  Gallia; 

Roma  gli  h  patria 

Roma ! 
Ed  0  ?— proscRiii ! 


NORMA. 

Nor. 
Ada. 
Nor. 


SCENA  IX.— POLLIONE.  e  detti. 

Ada.  Dmira! 

AW.        Ei!  PoUione! 
Ada.  Qual  ira  P 

Nor.         Cestui,  cestui  dicesti  ? 

Ben  io  compresi  ? 
Ada.  All,  8\! 

Pol.  JtwUandosi  ad  Adalgisa.] 

Misera  te ! — che  festi  ? 
Ada.        Io ! 
,Nor.  [A  PoUione.']  Tremi  tu— pev  chi  ? 

[Alctini  momoiti  di  silenzio  :  PoUione  e  confuso, 

Adalffisu  tremante,  e  Norma  fennente. 

O  non  tremare !  o  perfido ! 
No,  non  tremar  per  lei : 
Essa  non  e  culpevole 
11  mallattor  tu  sei  I 
Trema  per  te — fellone ! 
Pei  ligli  tuoi,  per  me. 
Ada.        Che  ascolto  ?— Ah,  PoUione  ! 
Taci !  t'  aiTetri  ? — Ahime  ! 

[Si  copre  il  voUo  coUe  mani :    Norma  V  afferra 

per  un  braccio,  e  la  costringe  a  mirar  PoUione, 

egli  la  segiie. 
Nor.        O  !  di  qual  sei  tu  vittima ! 

Crudo  e  t'unesto  ingixnno ! 

Pria  cbe  cestui  conoscere, 

T'  era  il  morir  men  danno. 

Fente  d'  eterue  lagrime, 

L'  emjiio  a  te  pure  aperse ; 

D'  orviljil  vel  coperse 

L'  aurora  do'  tuoi  di. 
Ada.         O  I  qual  traspare  orribUe 

Dal  tue  parlar  mistero ! 

Trema  il  mi(j  cor  di  chiedere — 

Trema  d'  udire  il  vero  : 

Tutta  comprendo,  e  misera ! 

Tutta  la  mio  sventura — 

Essa  non  ha  misura, 

Se  in'  inganiu)  cosi. 
Pol.         Norma,  de'  tuoi  rimproveri 

Segno,  non  I'arnii  adesso. 

Deh  !  a  questa  afiiitta  vergine, 

Sia  respirar  concesso : 

Copra  a  quell'  alma  ingenua«— 

Cepra  nostr'  onte  un  velo. 

Giudichi  solo  il  Cielo 

Qual  piu  di  noi  falli. 
Nor.        Perfide ! 

Pol.  Or  basti !  [Per  allontanarsi. 

Nor.  Fermati ! 

E  a  me  sottrarti  speri  ? 
Pol.         Vieni  1  [Afferra  Adalgisa. 

Ada.  Mi  lascia  I — scostati ! 

[Dividendosi  da  lui. 
Tu  sei  di  Norma  sposo. 


But  tell  me — tliis  much-lov'd  youth. 
By  what  name,  'mongst  us,  is  he  called  P 
He  was  not  born  here  in  Gaul : 

Rome  is  his  country 

Rome ! 
H  is  name  ? — speak  ! 

SCENE  IX. — POLLio,  and  the  same. 


Ada.  Behold  him ! 

Nor.     He!  Pollio! 

Ada.  What  means  this  rage  P 

Nor.     This  man,  say'st  thou  ? 
Have  I  heard  rightly  ? 

Ada.  Ah.  yes ! 

Pol.  [Approaching  Adalgiaa.'] 

Oh,  miserable  thou  ! — what  rashness ! 

Ada.    I! 

Nor.  [To  Pollio.']  Thou  tremblest— for  whom  ? 
[Some  moments  of  silence  :  Pollio  'is  confused,  Adal- 
gisa trembling,  and  Norma  enraged. 

Tremble  not !  perfidious  one ! 
Tremble  not  thus  with  fear  for  her : 
She's  not  foreswora  and  guilty, 
'ihe  criminal,  the  guilty,  is  thyself! 
Then  tremble  for  thyself,  betrayer ! 
For  thy  hapless  children,  and  at  me. 
Ada.     What  do  I  hear  ?— Ah,  Pollio ! 

Silent !  not  vindicate  thyself  ?— Alas  ! 

[She  covers  her  face  with  her  hands. — Norma  seizes 
her  by  the  arm,  and  compels  her  to  look  on 
Pollio,  who  anxiously  observes  her. 

Nor.     Oh  !  of  what  treachery  art  thou  the  victim ! 
Cruel,  unhappy,  inianious  deception  ! 
Rather  than  this  man  thou  e'er  hadst  known. 
To  thee  death's  self  had  preferable  been. 
A  bitter  fountain  of  eternal  tears. 
This  impious  one  causes  to  flow ; 
With  horrid  clouds  he  has  o'ershadow'd 
The  morning  of  thy  unsuspecting  days. 

Ada.     Oh!  -svhat  treachery  gleams  forth 

Too  clearly  in  thy  dark  mysterious  words ! 

My  trembling  heart  no  more  dares  ask — 

Dares  not,  though  yearning,  hear  the  trutli : 

I  comprehend  all  my  misery, 

■All  my  misfortunes,  my  o'erwhclming  woes— 

They  are  destined  ne'er  to  end, 

If  thus  he  has  deceived  me. 

Pol.      Norma,  of  thy  well-merited  reproaches 
Make  me  not  now  the  object. 
Oh  !  pitying  this  aflhcted  virgin. 
Her  hapless  sighs,  so  undeserv'd,  respect : 
Let  us  conceal  from  her  ingenuous  sovd — 
Let  us  conceal  our  shame  beneath  a  veil. 
To  the  justice  only  of  offended  Heaven 
Be  left  to  say  which  of  us  has  erred. 

Nor.     Perfidious  one ! 

Pol.  Enough  !  enough  I    [Turning  to  go. 

Nor.  Hold!  held! 

Thus  to  escape  me  dost  thou  hope  ? 

Pol.      Come !  [Seizing  Adalgisa, 

\  Ada.  Oh,  leave  me ! — hence,  away  ! 

[  Gett  ing  free  from  PoUio, 
1  Begone  I  thou  art  the  spouse  of  if.'orma. 


NORMA. 


15 


Tol.     Qual  io  mi  fossi  obblio  x 

L'  amante  tuo  son  io.  [Con  tutto  ilfaoco. 

E  mio  destino  aniavti, 
Destin  costei  lugyir. 
Kor.     Ebben!     Lo  couipi — e  parti. 

[Bepi-imendo  il  furore. 
\_A  Adalgisa,']  Seguilo. 
Ada.  Ah  !  pria  morir  ! 

Hor.  [Prorom'pendo.'] 

Vanne.  s\— mi  Inscia,  indegno. 

Figli  obb'ia,  proinesse,  onore. 

Maledetto  dal  mio  sdegno 

Non  godrai  d'unempio  ainure: 

Te  sull'  onde,  te  eni  venti, 

Segniran  mie  furie  ardenti ; 

Mia  vendetta,  e  notte  e  giorno, 

Ruggiiad'  intorno  a  te. 
PoZ.  [I)isj)eratamente.'] 

Fremi  pure,  e  angoscia  eterna. 

Pur  m'  impreohi  il  tuo  furore. 

Qucsto  amor  cbe  mi  governa, 

fe  di  te,  di  me  maggiore 

Dio  non  v'  ha  che  mab  inventi 

De'  miei  mali  piu  cocenti. 

Maledetto  io  fui  quel  giarno       » 

Che  il  destin  t'  (iferse  a  me. 
Ada.  [Snpplichevole  a  iVocmti.] 

Ah  1  non  fia,  non  fia  cb'  io  costi 

Al  tuo  cor  s\  rio  dolore. 

Mari  e  monti  sian  frapposti 

Fra  me  sempre  e  il  traditore. 

Soffocar  aapro  i  lamenti— 

Divorar  i  miei  tormenti, 

M<jriio,  perclie  ritorno 

Faccia  il  crudo  ai  figli  e  a  te. 
Coro.  [Didentru.] 

Norma!  all'ara!     In  suon  feroce, 

D'  Irminsul  tuono  la  voce ! 
Nor.  1  [A  Pollione.']  Suim  di  morte  !— a  tea' intima. 
Ada.  )   Fuggi !  va  !  qui  pronta  ell*  e. 
Pol.  Si!  laspezzo  — si;  ma  prima 

Mi  cadra,  il  tuo  nuine  al  pie! 

[Squillano  i  Saari  Bronai  del  Tempio.— Norma  e 
chiamata  ai  riti. — Ella  rispinge  d'  un  braccio 
Pollione  e  gli  accenna  di  uscire. — Pollione  si 
allontana  furente. 

riNE  DELIi'  ATTO  PKIMO. 


Pol.      What  I  have  been  I  will  forget  ; 

Only  of  thee  the  lover  am  I  now.     [With  fire. 

It  is  my  destiny  to  love  thee, 

As  'tis  my  destiny  to  fly  from  her. 

Nor.     Infatuated  !     Thy  with  accomplish — go. 

[Restraining  her  rage. 
[To  Adelgisa.]  And  thou,  to,  follow. 

^da.  Ah !  rather  would  I  dio ! 

Nor.  [In  great  rage.] 

Yes,  fly — leave  me,  thou  unworthy  one ! 
Forget  thy  cheldren,  promises,  honour. 
The  curse  of  my  just  veiigt-ance  on  thee, 
Never  shalt  thou  enjoy  tby  impious  love  : 
On  the  sounding  wave,  in  the  howling  wind, 
Thou  following  wilt  find  my  ardent  fury  ? 
My  vengeance,  night  and  day  unceasingly, 
Blasting  thy  peace,  shall  rage  around  thee. 

Pol.  [With  desperation.l 

Still  madly  rave,  and  endless  agonies 
Upon  me  imprecate,  in  thy  wild  fury. 
The  mighty  love  of  which  I  own  the  empire, 
Than  thee,  o'er  me  possesses  greater  power. 
No  god  in  malice  torments  can  invent, 
Than  my  own  torments  more  t  xm-uciating, 
A  curse  fell  upon  that  fital  d:iy 
When  destiny  presented  thee  to  me. 

Ada.  [Supplicativg  Nirmu.] 

Ah !  no,  it  shall  not  be  that  thus 
I  thy  fond  heart  should  lacerate. 
May  aeas  and  mountains  alike  divide 
From  me  for  ever  this  treacherous  lover. 
I'll  stifle  all  weak  lamentations — 
Hide  each  torment  I  may  feel. 
And  die  without  reproach,  if  he 
But  return  to  his  children  and  to  thee. 

Cho.  [From  within.'] 

Norma !  hasten  !     With  fearful  sound 
Irminsul  in  thunder  lifts  his  voice. 

Nnr.  \  [To  Pollio.]  The  sound  of  death  1  to  thee  a 

A:a.i      warning 

Fly  !  away  !  prepar'd  it  conies ! 

Pol.      Tes!  I  defy  it— yes  ;  but  first 

I'll  o'erthrow  thy  Deity  at  thy  feet, 
[The  Sacred  Bronze  is  heard  sounding  from  the 
Temple. — Norma  is  summoned  to  the  rites.^' 
With  one  arm  she  repulses  Pollio,  and  ivith 
the  other  imperatively  points  for  him  to  retire, 
ivhich  he  does  in  great  anger. 

END  OF  THE   FIRST  ACT, 


16 


NORMA. 


A  T  T  0     II. 

SCENA  I. — Inttrno  dell'  Ahitazione  di  Norma.— Da 
una  ptirfr  un  Ldio  Romano.  copeHo  di  pelle  d'  Orso. 
— 1  Figli  di  Norma  sono  addonnentati. 

Norma  con  una  lampa  c  vn  pugnnlc  alia  mono. — 
Siede  e  posa  la  lampa  sopra  una  tavola. — E pallida, 
coAtraffula-. 

Nor.     Dormono  entrambi !  non  vodran  la  mano 
Che  li  percudte ; — non  pontirti.  o  core, 
Yivor  non  ponno ;  qui  siipplizio,  e  in  Roma 
OM>rohrio  avrian  (pi'sTt,rior  saipplizio  assai) : 
Sohiavi  d'  una  matrigna  I — Ah  no  !  giammai ! 

[Sorge. 
Muoiiuiol — SK     Non  posso 

\_Fa  unpasso,  e  sifenna. 
Av^-icinnrmi — iin  gel  mi  prende; 
E  in  front e  mi  soUova  il  crin. 

I  figli  uccido  1  tenero  tigli — 

In  qucsto  sen  concetti  I  [Jnlenerendosi. 

Da  questo  sen  nutriti— esr.i.  pur  diaiizi 
Delizia  mia  I — essi.  nel  cui  sovriso 

II  perdono  del  Ciel  mirar  credei — 
lo.  io.  li  svenero  !  Di  che  son  rei  ? 
Di  PoUitme  son  figli : 

Ecco  il  delitto.     Essi  per  me  son  morti — 
Muoia  per  lui ; 

E  non  sia  pena  che  la  sua  somigli  I 
Feriam  I 
f  S'  incamminn  verso  il  Letto.  aha  il  pvgnale — 

es.srt  da.  un  grido  inorridita,  i  Figli  si  sve- 

gliamo. 
Ah,  no  I  son  figli  miei ! — mici  figli ! 

[Li  abbraccia,  epiange. 
Clotilde ! 

SCENA  n. — Clotilde  e  delta. 

Nor.  Corri !  vola  ! 

Adalgi=^a  a  me  guida. 
Clo.  Ella  qni  presso — 

Solituria  si  ag/^ira,  e  prega  e  plora. 
A  or.     Va;  si  «imendi  il  mio  fallo,  e  poi,  si  mora ! 

[Clotilde  parte 

SCENA  III. — Adalgisa  e  Norma. 

Ada.    Me  cliianii,  o  Norma.     Qual  ti  copre  il  volto 
T'  '.sto  pallor  ? 

Nor.  Pallor  di  morte !     Io  twtta 

L'  onta  mia  ti  rivelo.     Una  preghiera  sola 
Odi,  e  r  adempi :  se  pieta  pur  merta 
n  presente  mio  duolo,  e  il  duel  future. 

Ada.    Tutto,  tutto,  io  prometto. 

Nor.  Hgiura! 

Ada.  II  giuro ! 

Nor.     Odi : — Purgar  quest'  aura 

Contaminata  dalla  mia  prcsenza, 
Ho  risoluto.     Ne  trar,  meco  io  posso ; 
Questi  infelici ! — a  te,  gli  affido ! 


ACT    T  r . 

SCENE  I. — Tnlerior  of  Norma's  Dwelling. — On  one 
»ide.  a  Ronum  Conch,  covered  with  Bear-skina,  on 
which  the  children  ot  Norma  are  sleeping. 

Enter  Norma,  tvith  a  lamp  and  a  dnrjqer  in  her  hand. 
— She  seats  herself,  placing  the  lamp  on  a  table. — 
She  is  pale  and  distracted. 

Nor.     They  sleep — they  will  not  see  the  hand 

That  strikes  the  blow ;  repent  not,  my  heart, 
They  must  cUc ;  their  fate  in  Rome  would  be  ' 
Opprobrium  (worse  than  their  suffp/ing  here): 
Slaves  to  a  stepmother  I — Ah  no  !  never ! 

[She  rise&. 
Better  they  should  die ! — yes.    1  cannot 

[Advancing,  then  drawing  hade. 
Draw  nearer — chill  seizes  me ; 
On  my  brow  my  hair  stands  erect. 
Murdt>r  my  children !  my  helpless  children — 
My  own  dear  oifsiu-ing  !  [  WitJu  tenderness 

Nurtur'd  at  this  breast — they  who  once 
Were  my  delight ! — in  whose  fond  smUe 
The  pardon  of  Heaven  I  thouglit  I  saw — 
I,  I,  their  murderer!     What  is  their  crime? 
They  are  the  childi'en  of  Pollio  : 
That  is  their  crime  ?     To  me  they're  dead — 
For  him  they  die ; 

May  their  sacrifice  cause  him  remorse  eternal ! 
Now  will  I  strike ! 
[She  advances  totoards  the  Couch,  and  raises  her 
her   dagger — then  utters   a  fearful  scream, 
lohich  awakens  the  Child/ren.  i 

\h,  no !  they  are  my  chQdren  I — my  children !    { 

[She  embraces  them,  and  weeps 
Clotilde ! 

SCENE  II. — Clotide.  and  the  same. 

Nor.  Hasten  !  tly  ! 

Bring  Adalgisa  to  me. 
Clo.  She  is  near — 

Lonely  she  wanders,  pi-;>yiug  and  in  tears. 
Nor.     Go;  I  win  atone  my  crime,  then  die ! 

[Exit  Clotilde. 

SCENE  III.— Adalgisa  and  Nouma. 

Ada.    Thou  call'st  me,  Norma.     What  horrid  pallor 
O'er  spreads  thy  features  ? 

Nor.  That  oi  death  !     Now  all 

My  shame  will  I  reveal.     One  prayer  only 
Hear,  and  my  wish  fidfil,  if  thou  canst  pity 
My  present  grief,  my  future  woe. 

Ada.    All,  all,  I  promise  thee. 

Nor.  But  swear ! 

Ada.  I  swear ! 

Nor.     Hear  me : — To  purify  and  free  the  air, 
Too  long  contaminated  by  my  presence. 
Is  my  resolve.     Take  them  with  me  I  cannot  j 
What  misery ! — to  thee,  then,  I  confide  them  1 


Ada.  O,  CieU ! 

A  me  gli  affidi  ?  ' 

Nor.  Nel  Romano  campo 

Guidali  a  lui — che  nominar  non  oso. 
Ada.     Oh  !  che  mai  chiedi  ? 
Nor.  Sposo 

Ti  sia  men  crude,  io  gli  perdono,  e  moro. 
Ada.     Sposo ! — Ah  !  non  mai ! 
Nor.  Pei  figli  suoi  P  imploro 


NORMA. 
Ada. 


Nor. 


Ada^ 
Nor. 


Ada. 

Nor. 


17 

Oh,  Heaven ! 
To  me  confide  them  ? 

To  the  Roman  camp 
Take  them  to  him — his  name  I  dare  not  utter. 
Oh  !  what  do'st  thou  ask  of  me  ? 

A  husband  may  he  be 
To  thee  less  faithless  ;  I  forgive  him,  and  die. 
A  husband ! — Ah !  never ! 

I  for  his  children  ask  it. 


DER!  CON  TE  LI  PBENDl^FRAYl  BENEATH  THY  CARE.    Air.    Norma. 

Allegretto  Moderato. 


Deh!   con    te,      con    te,     U         pren    -   di,       Li    so  -  stie  -  ni.     It      di    -    fen    -    di.'         ATmj  h' 


Deh!   con    te,      con    te,     li         pre 
Pray !  be-neath    thy  care  be   -   mend  them,  And  from  ev'  -  ry     ill 


fen    -    di!         Non  ti 
fend  them !       Not  for 


^^i=7= 


chie  -  do  0 -nori  e      fa    -    sci —  A 
ho-nours    I    im-plore  thee — These  thy 

i  miei     non  la  -  sci,  Schiaviab-biet-ti,  ab-ban 
not         deceive  them,  Nor  to     ab  -  ject    slav' 


titoi         fi    -  gli    ei    fian    ser   •  ba  -    ti: 
chil  -  dren's     por-tions  store  thee : 


iplpi^E: 


Pre  -  go    sol       che 
I      but  ask  thou'lfc 


do    -    na 
ry      leave 


ti —         Bas-tia    te     che     di-sprez~ 
them— For  re  -  mem-ber  that  des- 


i^£Seiii^il! 


pis'd. 


ta,      Che        tra 
be  -  tray'd.    For 


di    -    ta    io  fid    per    te! 
sa  -  ken,  I've  been  for  thee  ! 


■^^^MMrn. 


plore  thee. 


tan      -      to     stra    •    zio     del 
gi-ant      the   pray'r     of     my 


deh    .     .     ti 


mio    cor ;       A 
poor  heart;     A 


/- — / 
mo  -  va,       tan  -  to    stra 
I im  -  plore  thee.  Grant  the  pray': 


210  del 
of, 


mio  cor. 

my  poor  heart. 


Ada. 


Nor. 
Ada. 


K(yr. 


Norma !  ah.  Norma !  ancora  amata ! 
Madre  ancor  sarai  per  me — 
Tienti  i  figli.     Non  fia  mai 
Ch'  io  mi  tolga  a  queste  arene. 
Tu  giurasti. 

Si,  giurai ; 
Ma  il  tuo  bene — il  sol  tuo  bene — 
Vado  al  campo,  ed  all'  ingi-ato. 
Tutti  io  reco  i  tuoi  lamenti 
La  pieta  che  mi  hai  destato, 
Parlera  sublimi  accenti. 
Spera, — spera :  amor,  natura 
Ridestarsi  in  lui  vedrai, — 
Del  suo  cor  son  io  secura — 
Norma  ancor  vi  regnera ! 
Ch'  io  Io  preghi  ?  ah !  no — giammai ! 
Piu  non  t'  odo — parti,  va ! 


Ada. 


Nor. 
Ada. 


Nor. 


Norma !  ah.  Norma !  still  belov'd ! 

A  mother  shalt  thou  be  to  me — 

StiU  keep  thy  children.     Never  shall  it  be 

That  I  will  quit  these  hallow'd  woods, 

But  thou  hast  sworn. 

Yes,  I  have  sworn ; 
To  seek  thy  happiness — restore  thy  peace — 
To  the  camp  of  the  ingrate  will  I  go, 
And  reveal  thy  sad  lamentations. 
The  ardent  pity  thou  in  me  hast  kindled, 
Shall  speak  to  him  in  inspiration's  accents. 
Hope  all — ^es.  all :  love  and  nature 
Awaken'd  m  him  shall  again  be  seen, — 
His  heart  to  thee  I  will  secure  once  moro — 
Norma  again  shall  reign  triumphant ! 
What !  I  supplicate  him  ?  ah !  no — never ! 
I  can  no  longer  listen — hence,  away ! 


18 


NORMA. 


.\finA.  0  KORMA— SEE,  OH  NORMA.    Duet 
AotL'iisA.  Atultinte. 


Adalgisa  and  NoftMA. 


rr)=r=:!^: 


Mi-ra,  0  Nor  -  ma  !     ai  tuoi  gi  -  noc  -  chi,    Quea  -  ti 
low   -  fy    kneel 


See,  oh,   Not  -  ma ! 


These  thy   chil  -  dren 
^    3 


CO     -     ri    tuoipar  •  go  -  let  -  ii :      Ah  !pie' 


sweet  en  -,dear-  in^;     Some 
^  r~^  NonMA. 

1-: 


id  -  de         di   l-or,     H    la 
pi-tyhave     for  them,  un-ca 


id  -  de         di   l-or,     H    toe  -  chi,     Se     .     .     .     non  hai,       non  hai,      di      te        pie  -  ta.      Ah  !per- 
pi-tyhave     for  them,  un-car-ing,    Though    for   thy -self,       thy-self,    thou  feel  -  est  none.     Ah! 


ch*',  per  ■  che, 
why      thus. 


la     mia   cos  -  tan  •  za,       Viioi   see  -  mar  . 
my    cou  -  rage  shak  -  ing,    With  these  words 


r^rrfQi: 


;^^ili^^i^ 


con  molli  af  •  fet  -  ti  ?     Pik     lu' 
so  soft,   so     ten  -  der  ?    No  more 


tin  -  ghe,    ah  pin  spe-ran  -  za,      Prcs     -so      a-  mor-te      un  cm-  non    .     .     .    ha. 

feel  -  mg     hope     can  ren  -  der,     Nor       more  in  -  spire        a    dy-ing    heart      like  mine. 


Ada.     Cedi,  deh  I  cedi ! 

Nor.  Ah  !  lasciami ! 

Ei  t'  ama. 
Ada.  E  giix  sen  pente. 

Nor.     E  tu .» 
Ada.  Lo  amai,  quest'  anima 

Sol  r  amistadc  or  sente. 
Not.  O  giovinetta  1 — E  Tuoi  ? 
Ada.     Renderti  i  dritti  tuoi 

O  teco,  al  Cielo  fe  agli  uomini, 

Giuro  celarmi  ognor. 
Kor.    Hai  vinto.  hai  vinto.     Abbracciami— 

Trovo  un'  arnica  ancor. 


Ada.    Yield,  oh  yield  to  ny  entreaties ! 

Nor.  .  Ijeave  me  I 

Lores  he  not  thee  ? 
Ada.  He  is  now  repentant. 

Nor.     And  thou  ? 
Ada.  With  lore  my  heart  was  fir'd, 

But  friendship  now  is  all  I  feel. 
Nor.     Young  maiden  ! — what  would'st  thou  ? 
Ada.     Restore  to  thee  what  is  justly  thine, 

Or  else  with  thee  from  Hearen  and  man, 

I  swear,  concealed  to  lire  for  ever. 
Nor.     I  am  vanquish'd,  conquer'd.     Embrace  me-— 

I  find  a  friend  is  left  me  yet, 


BI  FINO  ALL  ORE  ESTREMB.—CKLKLY  TILL  CLOSES.    Duet.    Norma  and  Adalgisa. 
Norma    AUeoretto.        


=Fl=l= 

^-^f- 

^?=»: 

?pE=J- 

m 

=^E 

=H= 

E*E 

m 

,j   ^  r 

Si,  fino 
Calm-ly 

AVALOISA. 

aW      0 
till    clos 

.V  .     J 

re, 

-es 

all'      0    -     ree 
life's  last  fleet -ing 

-  stre-me, 
'    moment, 

Com  'pa  - 
Tru-ly 

gna 
to 

tu  . 
thee 

a, 
a 

:5* 

com-pa  - 
com-pan 

1 

^na 
-ion 

— -1 — 

m'a' 
I'll 

j):^:3=r=i==i= 

J          t- 

-Jzr^g 

-E=t 

f.=l 

-•- 

-^-- 

=ii 

=$1 

S^0—     0 . IV— f-    ,    -f- 0 ,  _  0 j^ 


vra  -  i ;      Per  ri'CO  •  vrar  -  ci,  per      ri  -  co-vrar-ci  in  •  sie  -  me —  Am  -  pia  e  la      ier-raela 

prore;       A- bore  us    one  roof  shall  give  safe-ty 'sen  -  joyment — This  world's  wide  e-nough  to  yield 


^pp^ii^:^ii^^i:ji^^gi^mai 


NORMA. 


19 


)S=t: 


:E5HK^i 


ter     -      ra  -  as  -  sa    - 
shel   -    ter  'gainst  love. 


Te  -  CO    del  fa  -  to     all'     on  -  te, 
To  -  ge-ther  fate   op     -     pos  -  iiig. 


mm^^^ 


;— rv 


Ferviia    op-por  -  rb         La 
Ris    -    iiig,        brav  -  ing 


te^gi=^^l 


-I y y H 


/roii  -  fe,     Fin  -  die  il  mio  core 
sor  -  row,    On  tliy     breast 


-^ 1 — .- — ^- 

on  -  te,         Fer-via  op-per  -  rb  la       fron  -  te, 

pos  -  ing.       Ris        Lug,       brav  -  ing       sor  -  row. 


Te     -  CO    del  fa     -     to  alV 

To    -  ge.-therfate         op  - 

a      hat  -  te-re,  lo    sen  -  ta        sul  tuo        cor ; 

re  -  pos    -    ing.       Calm    my  breast  will      bor-row; 


Fin  -  chemibai    - 
On         tliy  breast 


te   il     cor     sen 
re    -    pos     -     - 


Sen      -      ta. 
Calm  my   breast, 


sid     tiio      cor, lo     sen     - 

calm  my      breast will  bor 


ta,   lo 
row.  My 


Sul     tuo       C01\ 
Calm  my    breast 


s^d      cor, lo     sen     -     -     .     -     .      ta,    lo 

will      bor row,  My 

1^   ^  #.    .». 


i^l^i^i^^i^sii^llpiiillp^ii 


sen    •    ta    sul  tuo    cor lo      sen   -  ta   sid      tuo  cor, 

breast  will  bor-row,  wiU    bor row.  My  breast,  my  breast  will  bor- 

4S_ 


—0- ^ i c-i — N--I — — 1 — •i*^""^,  — -r ■— •-r-^-  ^  —  •-!-■ r — ' 1-| — I — |-'S  --i 


[Partono. 

SCENA  IV. — Imogo  solitario  pi'esso  il  Bosco  dei 
Druidi,  cinto  da  bui~roni  e  da  Caverne. — In  fondo 
un  Lago,  cdtraversato  da  tin  Pvnte  di  Pietra. 

Guerrieri  e  Galli. 
'Oro  1.    Non  parti  ? 

Joro  2.  Finora  e  al  campo — 

Tutto  il  dice  :  i  feri  carmi, 
II  fragore,  il  snon  del'  ai-mi, 
DeUe  insegnc  il  ventilav.. 


[Exeunt. 

SCENE  IV. — A  solitary  spot  near  the  Druids'  Wood, 
surrounded  by  rocky  Caverns. — In  Uie  distance  is  a 
Lake,  over  tchich  is  a  Stone  Bridge. 

Enter  Wao'riors  and  Gnuls. 
1st  Cho.  Has  he  departed  ? 

2nd  Cho.  He's  still  in  the  camp- 

All  things  bespeak  it :  the  fierce  warlike  song, 
The  clang  of  arms,  that  cti\  cli'ss  somid; 
Their  standards  still  triumphant  wave. 


20 

TuUi.  Attendiam  :  un  breve  inciampo 
Non  ci  t»irl>i,— non  ci  arroati. 
E  in  silc'uziu  il  cor  ai  approsti 
La  giaiul*  opra  a  consumar. 

SCENA  v.— Oroveso  e  detti, 

Oro.     Gui'iTi.'vi  I  a  voi  venimc 

Crrtloa  K.rici'.)  d"  a\-venir  uiigliore  : 

II  ^fn.n.s  >  arili>re, 

L'  na  cho  iu  »oii  vi  lx>llu, 

lo  civdoa  swKiidar— ma  il  Dio  nol  voile, 
Coro.    Come?     E  le  nostre  selve 

L'  abborrito  Procousole  non  lascia  ? — 

Non  node  al  Tebro  ? 
Oro.  Ma  piii  temuto,  e  fero 

Latino  condottiero, 

A  Pollion  siK-code;  c  di  novelle 

Possenti  Logioni. 

Atforzji  il  campu  che  ne  tien  prigioni. 
Coro.    E  Norma  U  sa  ? — Di  pace 

li  consigliera  ancor  ? 
Oro.  In  van  di  Norma 

La  mcntc  investigai. 
Coro.  E  che  far  pensi  ? 

Orn.  Al  fato 

Piogar  la  fronte ; — separarci.  e  niillo 

Lasoiar  suspottx)  del  iallito  intcnto. 
Coro.    E  finger  scmpre  ? 
Oro.  Amara  legge  il  seiito ! 

Ah  I  del  Tebro  al  giogo  indogno 

Fromo  io  pure — e  iill'  armi  ancle ; — 

Ma  nemico  e  sempre  U  Cielo ; — 

Ma  cousiglio  e  U  simular  .- 

Divoriamo  in  cor  lo  sdegno, 

Tal  che  Roma  ostinto  il  creda : 

JX\  ven-fi,  che  desto,  ei  rieda, 

Piu  tremendo  a  divampar ! 
Coro.    Si,  fingiara,  se  il  finger  giovi; 

Ma  il  furore  in  sen  si  covi ; — 

Guai  per  Roma,  allor  che  il  segno 

Dia  dell'  armi  il  sacro  altar ! 

[Partono. 

SCENA  VI. — Tempio  cZ'  Irminsul :  Ara  da  un  lato. 
Norma,  indi  Clotilde. 

Nor.    Ei  tomera. — Si !  mia  fidanza  e  posta 
In  Adalgisa :  ei  tomera  pentito — 
Supplicbevole,  amante !     O !  a  tal  pensiero, 
Sparisce  il  nuvol  nero 

Che  mi  premea  la  fronto !  e  il  sol  m'  arride. 
Come  del  primo  amor  noi  di  fehci. 

Esce  Clotilde. 

Clotilde ! 
Clo.  O,  Norma !  uopo  e  d'  ardir. 

Nor^  Che  dici  ? 

Clo.     Lassa ! 
Nor.  Favella ! 

Clo.  Indamo 

Parlo  Adalgisa,  e  pianse. 
A'or.  Ed  io  fidarmi 

Di  lei  dovea?  di  mano  iiscinni,  e  hella 

Del  ^"n  /Colore,  prcsentarsi  ail'  cmpio? 

Ella  tramaval 


NURMA. 

All. 


Lot  us  be  patient :  a  slight  impediment 
Must  not  disturb  us, — nor  stop  our  progress. 
In  silence  let  us  our  hearts  prepare 
The  glorious  work  to  consummate. 

scent:  Y.— Enter  Oroveso. 

Oro.     Gallant  wamors  !  I  had  hop'd 

To  be  the  messenger  of  better  prospects : 
The  patriotic  zeid.  the  generous  ardour. 
The  noble  rage  which  in  your  bosoms  bum, 
I  hop'd  to  second — the  God  wills  differently. 

Cho.     How  is  it  that  our  consecrated  woods 

This  abhorr'd  Proconsul  does  not  leave  ? — 
Returns  not  to  the  Tiber  ? 

Oro.  A  more  fierce 

And  cruel  Roman  commander, 
To  Pollio  succeeds;  aud  myriads  of  new 
O'erpow'ring  Legions,  eager  to  destroy, 
Reinforce  the  camp  to  keep  us  in  subjection. 

Cho.     Does  Norma  know  tliis  ? — Does  she  peace 
Still  counsel  us  ? 

Oro.  I  in  vain  of  Norma 

The  mind  have  sought. 

Cho.  How  wilt  thou  act  ? 

Oro.  To  fate 

Submissive  bow  ; — separate  all,  and  nothing 
Leave  to  awak  e  suspicion  of  intentions. 

Cho.     Dissembling  ever  ? 

Oro.  A  bitter  law  I  feel  it ! 

Ah !  at  the  Tiber's  yoke  dishonourable 
I  alike  rage — alike  for  arms  I  pant ; — 
But  unfriendly  to  us  still  is  Heaven ! — 
My  counsel,  +lien,  is,  we  dissimulate : 
Let's  stifle  in  our  hearts  our  indignation, 
That  Rome  extinguish'd  may  believe  it : 
The  day  ^vill  come,  when  it  shall  return, 
More  terribly  to  vanquish  and  destroy ! 

Cho.     Yes,  let  us  feign,  if  feigning  help  us ; 

But  fury  in  our  bosoms  still  we'll  shroud ; 
Woe  be  to  Rome,  whene'er  the  fatal  signal, 
To  arms,  sounds  from  our  sacred  altar ! 

[Exeunt. 

SCENE  VI. — Temple  of  IrDiinsul :  Altar  on  one  side- 
Enter  Norma,  afterwards  Clotilde. 

Nor.     He  wUl  return. — All,  yes !  my  faith  is  firm 
In  Adalgisa  :  he'll  return  repentant — 
A  supplicating  lover  !     At  that  thought. 
How  disappear  the  clouds  that  late  so  darkly 
Oppress'd  my  brow !  the  bright  sixn  smiles, 
As  in  my  first  lov'd  days  of  happiness. 

Enter  Clotilde. 

Clotilde ! 
Clo.  Oh,  Norma !  summon  courage. 

Nor.  Speak  ? 

Clo.      Alas  I 

Nor.  TeU  me  all 

Clo.  Vainly 

Spoke  Adalgisa's  tears. 
Nor.  Should  I  have 

Trusted  her  ?  let  her.  so  beauteous 

In  son-ow,  seek  that  impious  one  P 

She  has  betrayed  me ! 


NORMA. 


21 


Cho.  Ella  ritoraa  al  _jmpio 

Trista,  dolento  impiora 

Di  profferii-  suoi  voti. 
Nor.  Ed  egU  ? 

Clo.  Ed  egli 

Rapirla  giura  anco  all'  altar  del  Nume  I 
Nor.     Troppo  U.  fellon  presume ; 

Lo  previen,  mia  vendetta,  e  qui  di  sangue — 

Sangue  Romano — scon-eran  torrenti ! 
[Si  appressa  all'  ara,  e  batte  tre  voUe  lo  scudo  d' 
Irminsul. 
Coro.  [Di  dentro.']  Squilla  il  bronzo  del  Dio ! 
Clo.  Cielo :  che  tenti  ? 

SCENA  VII. — Accorono.  da  varie  parti,  Oroveso,  i 
Druidi,  i  Bardi,  e  le  Muustre. — A  poco  a  poco  il 
Tempio  si  riempie  d'  armati. — Norma  si  colloca  sulV 
Altare. 
Ore.     Norma,  che  fu  ?     Percosso 

Lo  scudo  d'  Irminsul,  quali  alia  terra 

Deere ti,  intima  ? 
Nor.     Guerra !  strage !  sterminio ! 
Oro.     E  a  noi  pur  dianzi  pace 

S'  imponea  pel  tuo  labbro  ? 
Nor.  Ed  ira  adcsso— 

Armi,  furore,  e  morti ! 

H  cantico  di  guerra  alzate,  o  forti — 

Guerra,  gueiTa !     Le  GaUiche  selve 

Quante  ban  quercie  producou  guerrier. 

Qual  8ui  greggi  fameiiche  belve, 

Sui  Romani  van  essi  a  cader. 

Sangue !  sangue !  le  Galliche  scuri 

Fino  al  tronco  bagnate  ne  son, 

Sovra  i  flutti  del  Liguri  impuri, 

Ei  gorgogKa,  con  funebre.  suon. 

Strage !  strage  !  sterminio,  vendetta ! 

Gia  comincia,  si  conipie,  si  affretta. 

Come  biade  da  falci  mietute. 

Son  di  Roma  le  schiere  cadute ; 

Troncbi  i  vanni,  recisi  gli  artigli, 

Abbattuta  ecco  1'  aquila  <il  suol ! 

A  mirar  il  trionfo  dei  figli, 

Viene  il  Dio  sovi-a  un  raggio  di  sol. 
Oro.     Ne  compi  il  rito,  o  Norma  ? 

Ne  la  vittima  accenni  ? 
Nor.  Ella  fia  pronta. 

Non  mai  1'  altar  tremendo 

Di  vittime  manco. — Ma  quel  tumulto  ? 

SCENA  VIII.— Clotilde, /re«i7osa,  e  dciti. 

Clo.     Al  nostro  tempio  insulto 

Fece  un  Romano :  nella  sacra  chiostra 
Delle  vergini  alunne  egli  fu  colto. 

Tutti.  Un  Romano  ? 

Not.  {Che  ascolto  ? 

Se  mai  foss'  egli  ?] 

Tutti  A  noi  vien  tratto ! 

Nor.  (E  desso  i 

SCENA  IX.— PoLLiONE,/j-a  Soldati  e  detti. 
Oro.     E  Pollione! 

Nor.  (Son  vendlcata  adesso !) 

Oro,     Sacrilego  neniico  I  e  chi  ti  spinse 

A  violar  queste  temute  soglie  ? — 

A  sfidar  1'  ii-a  d'  Ii-minsul  ? 


Clo.  Sbe  has  resought  the  temple, 

Sorrow-stricken,  earnestly  imploriag 
To  offer  up  her  vows. 

Nor.  And  he  ? 

Clo.  And  he  swears 

To  force  her  e'en  from  the  altar  of  her  God ! 

Nor-     Too  much,  foul  traitor,  he  presumes ; 

Forestall'd  by  my  vengeance,  seas  of  blood — 
Of  Roman  blood — shaU  liow  forth  iu  torrents  1 
[She  approaches  the  Altar,  aiid  thrice  strikes  the 
shield  of  Irminsul. 

Cho.  [Within.']  The  sacred  shield  has  sounded  I 

Clo.  Heavens  1  what  dar'st  thou  ? 

SCENE    VII. —  Enter   hastily,  from   various  sides, 

Oroveso,  Dmid^,  Bards,  and  officiating  Priestesses. 

— By  little  and  little  the  Temple  becovies  filled  with 

armed  Men. — Norma  takes  her  place  on  the  Altar. 

Oro.     Norma,  why  summon  us  ?   That  dread  sound, 

The  shield  of  Irminsul.  what,  to  this  earth 

Decreeing,  does  it  intinuitc? 
Noi\     War!  carnage!  extermination! 
Oro.     And  yet  but  lately  was  peace 

Impos'd  by  tliine  own  lips  ? 
Nor.  "Wrath  now  I'd  wake — 

Arms,  fury,  exterminating  death  ! 

Qnick,  let  the  song  of  war  rise  loudly — 

War  to  the  steel !     The  Gallic  forests 

Shall, mimerousastheiroaks. produce  wamors. 

As  on  our  tlocks  rush  famish'd  beasts  of  prey. 

So  we  the  Romans  will  o'erpower,  destroy. 

Blood :  blood !  the  Gallic  battle-axes 

Shall  cut  them  off  for  ever. 

And  the  dark  waters  of  the  foul  Liguri, 

Flowing  o'er  them,  sound  their  dirge. 

Slaughter !  extermination !  vengeance ! 

Commence,  and  hasten  to  complete. 

Like  ripen'd  corn  beneath  the  sickle 

Shall  the  Roman  forces  fall ; 

Clipp'd  the  proud  wings,  and  cut  the  talons, 

O'erthrown  on  the  earth  shall  the  eagle  lie ! 

To  triumph  in  his  children's  triumph, 

Will  come  oui-  God,  radiant  as  the  sun. 
Oro.     Do'st  thounot  consummate  the  rite,  oh  Norma? 

Nor  yet  point  out  the  victim  ? 
Nor.  The  victim  is  ready. 

Never,  did  this  dread  altar 

Its  victim  lack. — But  say,  why  this  tumult  ? 

SCEIVT]  VIIL— Clotilde,  hastily,  and  the  same. 

Clo.      Our  temple  has  been  insulted 

By  a  Roman :  in  the  sacred  cloister 

Of  our  noviciate  virgins  was  he  surpris'd. 

All.      A  Roman  ? 

Nor.  (What  do  I  hear? 

Shoidditbehe.P) 

All.  To  us  he's  dragg'd ! 

Nor.  (It  is !) 

SCENE    IX.— Enter  PoLLio,  conducted  by  Soldiers 

Oro.     PoUio ! 

Nor.  _  (This  moment  avenges  me !) 

Oro.     Sacreligious  foe !  what  demon  urg'd  thee 

To  %dolate  our  calm  secluded  shrine  ? — 

Defy  the  wi-ath  oJ'  Ii-minsul  ? 


Pol. 


Ferisci ! 

Ma  non  interroganni. 
S'or    iSveUindogi.]  lo  furir  deggio ! 

Scostatovi  I 
Pol.  Chi  vogifio  ?— 

Norma !  • 

A'or.  S\,  Norma ! 

TuUi.  n  sacro  form  impu_i,'na  ! 

Vemlicn  il  tompio  e  il  Dio. 
A'or.  [Prende  il  Pugmde  dalle  viimi  di  OrovciO.] 

SV  feriuiuo  :— Ah  I  [Si  arresta. 

Tuiti.  Tu  trcnii ! 

Ifor.  (.Ah  I  uou  poss"  io  I) 

Oro.     Che  fia  !  porolio  t'  arn-sti  ? 
Nor.     (Poss  'io  soutir  pieta !) 
Coro.  Ferisci  I 

Nor.  Io  deggio 

liitorrogarlo,  investi^r  qual  sia — 

L'  iiisiiiiata,  o  comphce  ministra— 

Che  il  profan  persuasc  a  fallo  estroino. 

Ite  per  poco. 


NORMA.. 

\Pol. 
Nor. 


Oro.  \ 
Coro.y 


Che  far  pensa  P 


Pol.  (Io  tromo !) 

[Orovcso  e  il  Coro  si  ritirano. — II  Tempio  rimane 
sgombro. 

SCENA  X.— Norma  e  Pollione. 

Nor.     lu  mia  inano  alfin  tu  sei ; 

Niun  potria  spezzur  tuoi  nodi : 

Io  lo  posso ! 
Pol.  Tu  !— nol  dei. 

Nor.     Io  io  voglio. 
Pol.  Come  ? 

Nor.  M'  odi  : — 

P<J  tuo  Dio,  po'  figli  tuoi, 

Giurai-  doi.  che  d"  ora  in  poi, 

Adalgisa  tugtjirai. 

Air  dtar  Hon  la  torrai: 

E  1*  vita  t  i  perdono. 

E  non  piu  ti  rivedi'o. 

Giura! 
Pol.  No ;  81  vil  non  sono. 

Nor.     Giura!  giura! 
Pol.  Ah  !  pi-ia  morro. 

Nor.     Non  sai  tu.  che  il  niiu  fui'ore 

Passa  U  tuo  'f 
Pol.  Ch'  ei  piombi  attendo. 

Nor.     Non  sai  tu  che  ai  figh  in  core 

Queato  forro 

Pol.  O.  Dio!  che  iutondo? 

Nor.     SI,  sovr'  cssi  alzai  la  puuta — 

Vedi,  vedi,  a  che  son  giunta! 

Non  ferii :  ma  tosto— adesso, 

Consumar  poss'  io  1'  eccesso ! 

Un'  iatante,  e  d'  es.sor  madre, 

Mi  poss'  io  dimenticar. 
Pol.      Ah,  crudele  1 — In  son  del  padre 

n  pugnal  tu  dei  ■vnbrar : 

A  me  il  porgi. 
Nor.  A  to ! 

Pol.  Che  spento 

Cada  io  solo. 
Nor.  Sf>\o !     Tutti— 

I  Romani — a  ccntxj  a  cento — 


Pol. 

Nor. 
All. 

Nor. 

All. 
Nor. 
Oro. 

m.r. 

Cho. 
Nor. 


Oro. 
Cho. 
Pol. 


Nor. 


Pol. 

Nor. 
Pol. 
Nor. 


Pol. 

Nor. 
Pol. 

Nor. 

Pol. 

Nor. 

Pol. 

Noi\ 


Pol. 


Nor 
Pol. 


Nor. 


Strike  I 
But  do  not  question  me. 
[Discoverlna  Jieraelf.]  The  blow  be  mine  1 

Draw  bacK ! 

Whom  do  I  see  ? — 
Norma! 

Yes,  Norma! 

The  sacred  weapon  wield! 
Vindicate  at  once  thy  God  and  temple. 
[2'aking  the  Sword  from  Oroveso's  hand.'] 
Yes,  let  me  strike  ! — Ah  !  [She  hesitates. 

Thou  tremblest ! 

(Ah!  I  cannot!) 
What  moans  this  ?  what  now  stays  thee? 
(Can  I,  then,  pity  feel !) 

Strike ! 

I  must 

Interrogate,  find  out  who  aided  him — 
What  deceitful  priestess  prompted 
Tliis  most  profane  one  to  a  crime  so  dire. 
Withdi-aw  awhile. 

[  What  means  aU  this  P 

(I  tremble !) 
[Exeunt    Oroveso   and   Chorus. — Hie   Temple   u 
cleared. 

SCENE  X.— NoKMA  and  Pollio. 

To  my  hands  consign'd  at  length  thou  art ; 
No  one  is  able  now  to  break  thy  bonds : 
I  only  can ! 

Thou !  but  thou  must  not. 
I  have  the  will. 

How? 

Hear  me : — 
By  thy  God,  and  by  thy  helpless  children, 
Swear,  that  from  this  hour,  for  ever 
Thou  wilt  from' Adalgisa  fly, 
Nor  fi-om  our  altar  bear  her  off: 
Then  I  wiE  grant  thy  forfeit  life. 
And  never  see  thee  more. 
Swear ! 

Never ! — No ;  so  vile  I  am  not. 
Swear!  swear! 

Ah !  sooner  will  I  die. 
Know-st  thou  not  the  fury  of  my  purpose 
Is  greater  far  than  thine  ? 

Let  it  descend. 
And  that  in  thy  children's  hearts 

This  dagger 

Oh  Gods !  what  do  I  hear  ? 
Yes,  o'er  them  I've  already  rais'd  its  point- 
See,  see,  to  what  extreme  theu'st  driven  me ! 
I  struck  not  then;  but  soon — instantly, 
I'll  consummate  my  fearful,  wild  excess ! 
A  moment,  and  that  I  am  a  mother, 
I  will  wash  out  all  memory  of. 
Ah,  cruel ! — In  the  bosom  of  the  father 
More  justly  should  it  be  plung'd: 
To  me,  then,  deal  it. 

To  thee ! 

That  I 
Alone  may  perish. 

Alone !     Nay,  all — 
The  Romans — hundreds  upon  hundreds — 


NOEMA. 


23 


Kan  mietuti,  fian  distrutti; 

E  Adalgisa 

Pol.  Ahime ! 

Nor.  Infedelft 

A'  suoi  voti ! 
Fol.  Ebben,  crudele! 

Nor.     Adalgisa  fia  punita ; 

Nelie  fiamme  perira. 
Pol.      Oh,  ti  preiuli  la  mia  vita ! 

lla  di  lei,  di  lei  pieta ! 
Nor.     Preghi  alfine? — Indegno,  e  tardi: 

Nel  suo  cor  ti  vo'  ferire ! 

Gia  mi  pasco  ne'  tuoi  sgaardi 

Del  tuo  duol,  del  sue  morire ! 

Posso  alfine,  e  voglio  farti 

Infelice  al  par  di  me ! 
Pol.     Ab  !  t'  appagbi  il  mio  terrore  I 

Al  tuo  pie  s<)n  io  piangente : 

In  me  sfoga  il  tuo  furore, 

Ma  risparmia  vm'  innocente ! 

Basti,  ab !  basti  a  vendicarti 

Cb'  io  mi  sveni  innanzi  a  te. 

Dammi  quel  ferro. 
Nor.  Sorgi : 

Scostati. 
Pol.         ^  n  ferro  !  il  ferro ! 

Nor.     Ola !  ministri,  sacerdoti,  accorrete ! 

SCENA  VLTIMA.—Ritornano  Oroveso,  i  Druidi 
i  Bardi,  e  i  Gucrrieri. 

Nor.  Al'  ira  vostra 

Nuova  vittima  io  svelo  :  una  spei-giura 
Sacerdotessa  i  sacri  voti  infranse, 
Tradi  la  patria,  il  Dio  degli  avi  offese. 

Tutti.  O,  delitto  !     O,  furor !  ne  sia  palese. 

Nor.     Si,  preparate  il  rogo ! 

Pel.  O  I  ancor,  ti  prego, 

Norma,  pieta ! 

Tutti.  Ne  svela  il  nome  ? 

Nor.  (Io,  rea, 

L'  innocente  accusar  del  fallo  mio  ?) 

Tutti.  Parla,  cbi  c  dessa  ? 

Pol.  Ab,  non  Io  dir ! 

Nor.  Son  io ! 

Oro.     Tu,  Norma  ? 

Nor.  Io,  steaaa !    II  rogo  ergete. 

Tutti.  D'  orrore  io  gelo ! 

Pol.  (Mi  manca  il  cor !) 

Tutti.  Tu  delinquente ! 

Pol.  Non  le  credete '- 

Nor.     Norm?-  non  meuLe. 

Oro.  O!  mio  rossor! 


Sball  fall,  in  one  wide  destruction; 

And  Adalgisa 

Pol.  Ab  me,  alas ! 

Nor.  The  trait'ress 

To  our  altar's  vows ! 
Pol.  Passionate  cruelty  1 

Nor.     Adalgisa  sball  suffer  due  punisbment; 

In  torturing  dames  unpitied  perish. 
Pol.      Ob,  rather  take  my  life ! 

But  upon  her,  on  her  have  pity ! 
Nor.     Base  prayers  at  last  ? — 'tis  too  late : 

Through  ber's  thy  heart  I'U  strike ! 

My  pasturage  sbaJl  be  tby  guilty  soul — 

Shall  be  thy  anguish,  her  righteous  deatk ! 

I  can  at  last,  and  will,  make  thee 

As  wretched  as  myself! 
Pol.      Ab !  content  thee  with  my  terror ! 

At  tby  feet  see  me  lonely  weeping : 

On  mo  expend  the  fury  of  tby  angsr, 

But  oh,  spare  thou  the  innocent ! 

Enough,  ah  !  enough  in  vindication 

That  I  fall  Ufelessly  before  thee. 

Give  me  the  dagger. 
Nor.  Arise ! 

Begone. 
Pol.  The  dagger !  the  dagger ! 

Nor.     Ho !  ministers,  priests,  hither  hasten ! 

SCENE   THE   TuAST.— Re-enter  Oeoveso,  DrmaU, 
Bards,  and  Warriors. 

Nor.  To  your  righteous  wrath 

I  a  new  victim  will  reveal :  a  perj  ur'd 
Priestess,  who  her  sacred  vows  has  broken, 
Betrav'd  her  land,  her  father's  God  offended. 

All.      Horriole  crime !    Oh,  fury !  make  her  known. 

Nor.     Yes,  prepare  the  pile ! 

Pol.  Again  I  pray  thee, 

Norma,  have  pity ! 

All.  Her  name  ? 

Nor.  (I,  the  misdoer, 

The  innocent  accuse,  and  of  my  crime  ?) 

All.      Speak,  who  is  she  ? 

Pol.  Oh,  do  not  sa/ ! 

Nor.  'TisI! 

Oro.     Thou,  Norma  ? 

Nor.  I,  myself!     The  pile  make  ready. 

All.      With  horror  we  are  chill'd  I 

Pol.  (My  faiUng  heart!) 

All.      Thou  an  offender ! 

Pel.  Oh,  do  not  believe  it  I 

Nor.     Norma  hath  never  lied. 

Oro.  Oh  !  what  ligony ! 


QUAL  COB  TBADISTI—TBB  HEART  THOU'ST  SLIGHTED.    Duet.    Noema  and  Pollio. 
nAndante.  Norma. 


Qual    cor      tra    -    di    •    sti,    Qual   cor      per   -   de   -   sti,    QuesVora    or  -  ren  -  da,       Ti     ma  -  ni- 
The  heart  thou'st  slight  -  ed,     The  heart  thou'st  blight  -  ed,    Now  lost,  be-nigbt-ed,     This  dread  hour 


shows 


sti; —        Da     7ne  fug 
thee ; —  'Twere  vain     to 


Cru  -  del     Ro- 
False  Ro  -  man 


24 


NORMA. 


g^^mM^^^^^^^^^^^^^^m 


ma    '   no, 
.ligb     me, 


Un  Nume,  vn       fa     -    to 
A     God,  whose  pow  -  er 


Di         te       piu 
Thou'st  felt      o'er- 


7\i        sex      con         me. 
Thy    love      I         chiim. 

for     -      fa,  Ci    vuole      u   -   ni     -    ti      In      vita     e  in         mor     -     te,  Sul  ro-go    i  - 

tow     -     er,         Rules  this  dark    hour.  .  .    Comes    to       op     -     pose      thee.         This  fate    de- 

==3- — ^ 


gffff  .  ao_      Che    mi       di  -  vo   -   ra.  Sot  -  ier  •  ra  an  -  co   -  ra,  8a   -   ro        con 

(jree  .  ing —  That  still     our     be  -  ing,  In      life     and    death  a  -  like,      We    share   the 

_  POLLIONK.  1^  w       _ 


\f 


Ah,!  trap -po      tar  -   di,       Tho    co  -  no  -  sciu  -  ta,        Su  -  bli   ■   me    don 

Too   lato    the  plight  -  ed,        In    love     u   -   ni   -   ted.       The  lost,    the  slight    -   ed, 


Norma. 


MElB^^MM^^m 


m=m^^s^^^^^ 


ra-j 


Qiuil  cor,  qual  cor       tra  -  di   -    sti. 
The  heart,  the  heai-t  thou'st  slighted. 


Qual     CO  -  re, 
The     heart, 


Qual 
The 


d 


Jo  t'hoper  •  du  -  ta — 
I  find  a   -   bove  me ; — 


Col   mio       ri  -  mor  -  so     Eamor     ri   -   na  -  to,     Pih     di  - .  ^ 
Re-morse  o'er  -  tak-ing  A  heart  that's  breaking,  New  love  a 


I 


S=[:f3iF^ 


— 1 — 

cor    . 
heart, 


The 


cor 
heart. 


ra    -    to, 
wak    -   ing. 


Fu  •  rente 
I         feel 


gli 


:f=5-] 


for     thee. 


1- %=^=^-' 

Moriamo    in    -    sie   •   me,       Ah,       si,      m,o- 
To  -  ge-ther     dy  -  ing,     Life's    la  -  test 


QuesV  ora     or  ■  ren  -  da. 
Now  lost,  be-night-ed. 


;i.*^^liH^Mip^sS^il^»pi?M^ 


na 
sigh 


^fe 


mo  :       L'estremx),    ac  -  cen  -to      sa  -  ra  ch'io    Ca      -      mo ; —  Ma     iu     mo- 
ing      Shall  mur-mur,   dy  -  ing,    I      love,  I     love   but  thee ; — Then  when  life's 


«-  • 


ren  -  do,         Non    m'abbor  -  ri  -    re.       Pria   di    mo  -  ri    -    re.       Per  -  do  -naa       me. 
wan -ing.   Breathe  no  com-plain-ing,       At     my  dis  -  dain  -  ing,     But  par -don      me. 


±=3^ 


NORMA. 


Oro. 
Coro 


Ch-o. 

Nor. 

Pol. 

Nor. 

Pol. 

Coro. 

Nor. 

Oro. 

Coro. 
Nor. 
Oro. 
No.. 
Oro. 
Nor. 
Oro. 
Nor. 


Oro. 

Nor. 


")  O,  in  te  ritorna,  ci  rassicuva ! 
)  Canuto  padre  te  ne  scongiura : 

Di  che  delii-i,  di  che  tu  menti, 

Clie  stolti  accenti  uscir  da  te. 

II  Dio  severe  che  qui  t'  intende 

Se  stassi  muto,  se  il  tuon  sospende, 

Indizio  e  questo,  indizio  espresso 

Che  tanto  eccesso  pvmir  non  de', 

Norma !  deh,  Nomia !  scolpati ! 

Taci !  ne  ascolta  appena  ? 

Cielo  e  i  miti  figli ! 
[Scuotendosi  con  un  grido.']  Alii !  miseri ! 
[Volgendosi  a  Pollione.]  I  nostri  figli ! 

O  pena ! 

Noiina,  sei  rea  ? 
[Disperatamente.'\   Si,  rea! 

Oltre  ogni  umana  idea ! 

>  Empia ! 

Tu  m'  odi ! 

Scostati ! 
Deh  m'  odi ! 

O,  mio  dolor ! 
[Piano  ad  Oroveso.'\  Son  madre ! 

Madre! 

Acquetati ! 
Clotilde  ha  i  figli  miei : 
Tu  U  raccogli — e  ai  barbari 
L'  iuvola  insiem  con  lei. 
Giammai!  giammai!     Va — lascianii ! 
Ah,  padre!  un  priego  ancor!  [S'  inginoc. 


Oro. 
Cho. 


Oro. 

N(yr. 
Pol. 

Nor. 
Pol. 
Cho. 

Nor. 

Oro. 
Cho. 

Nor. 
Oro. 
Nar. 
Oro. 
Nor. 
Oro. 
N(yr. 


Oro. 
N(yr. 


25 

")  Oh,  to  thyself  return,  and  reassure  us ! 
j  The  gray  hairs  of  a  father  supplicate  thee : 

Say  'twas  delirium,  and  spoken  falsely ; 

That  senseless  words  fell  idly  fi-om  thee. 

The  God  severe,  who  heard  thee, 

Remaining  silent,  his  thunder  suspending, 

Indicates  clearly,  indicates  expressly, 

That  thus  he  pardon  doth  proclaim. 

Norma!  oh.  Norma  !  vindicate  thyself ! 

Silent !  what  does  this  portend  ? 

Heaven  and  my  children  ! 
[With  great  emotion.]  Alas  !  most  miserable ! 
iTurning  to  Pollio.']   Our  hapless  children  ! 

Unutterable  anguish  1 

Norma,  art  thou  guUty  ? 
[  With  desjjeration.J  Yes,  guilty ! 

Beyond  all  mortal  thought ! 

>  Impious ! 

Oh,  hear  me ! 

Hear  me  a  moment ! 


Away ! 


Oh,  endless  sorrow! 
[In  a  low  voice  to  Oroveso.]  I  am  a  mother ! 
A  mother ! 

Soft,  be  calm ! 
Clotilde  has  my  children  : 
Do  thou  receive  them — Irom  bai-barians 
Protect  alike  both  them  and  her. 
Never !  never !     Leave  me — away  ! 
Ah,  father !  one  prayer  more !  [Kn.eelvng.t 


DK11 1  NON  VOLERLI  VITTIME—OH  !  LET  THEM  NOT  BE  THE  VICTIMS.    Am.    Nobma. 


Sii^gHp 


Deh !  non    tron  -  car 
Oh!     wi  -  ther  not 


Queir     in    -    no  -  cen    -    te       e    -     ta. 
Such     fair    and     in   -   no  -  cent  flow'rs 


bi      di   lor     pie 

it,      pi  I-  ty      be  - 


Pen    •    -    sa     che  son    tuo       san 
Through  them  thy  blood  is       flow 


>i- 


tug —      Spare 
.31 


stow     -     -    ingi   Ah! 
3 3_v^ 


'^^^^m^m^^^^^^m^ 


pa 
fa 


dre! 

ther! 


ab   -    bi        di       lor, 
pi    -   ty       be  -  stow, 


l(yr 


jie  -  ta, 
)e  -  stow, 


ab      -      bi       di 
pi    -    -  ty     be- 


ig|iiii^iiip=gip^|^zr^i 


lor,  di       lor    pie    -    ta, 

stow,  pi    -    ty    be 


ab      -      bi       di        lor,  di  lor    pie    -  td,. 

stow,  .     .    .    Spare      thou  them,       pi-ty     be  -  stow. 


Qro_  Opprosso  i  il  core. 

Nor.     Piangi,  e  perdouu ! 
Qro.  IIii  vinto  aniore! 

Nor.     Ah  !  tu  pi-rduui — quel  piaiito  il  dice. 
Pol.  \  lo  pill  iu>u  chiodo— lo  uou  fc-lice. 

■ '  CouU'Ut"  il  rogo,  U8cender6. 
Oro.     Ah  1  cuusohirmene— luai  non  jpotr6. 
Coro.    Piiintfi'.  piv^'U,  che  m:u  spei-a  p 

(ju'i  ivapinUi  i-  la  pri-jj^hiera. 

IjO  bi  8iM>j,'li  iJ  crin  ilcl  sorto : 

Sia  copt'iut,  di  8iiu;dlor! 
[I  Druidi  copnmo  d'  un  Velo  nero  la  Sacerdotessa. 

Viuine  ol  rogo  I     Ed  il  tuo  acompio 

Purglii  r  axa,  e  lavi  il  tempio. 

M;ilcdetUi  air  idtiin'  ora ! 

Alaledutta  OBtiuta  aucor ! 
Oro.     Ya,  iufolice ! 

Nor.  [Jncinnmimindoai.]  l\adre.  addio! 
PoL      11  tuo  rogo,  o  Norma  1  e  il  mio. 
Nor.  \  Lii  piu  puro,  la  piii  cianto, 
PoZ.  J  lucouiiiicia  eterno  amor! 
Jro.     Sg<>ij,M  aliin— prorompi,  o  pianto! 


Stii  pci'mcseu  a  uii  jfcmtor. 


NORMA. 

Oro.  Oppreas'd  I  feel  my  heart. 

Nor.     Weep,  and  pardon  me ! 

Oro.  Tliou'st  conquor'd,  lore ! 

Nor.     Ah !  thou  pardon'st  me  —those  tears  betipeak  it. 
Pol.  1  No  more  I  ask — I  now  am  bless'd ! 
Nor.  J  Contented,  we'll  the  fatal  pile  ascend. 
Oro.     What  can  console  me — what  give  me  rest  ? 
Cho.     Tears,  prayers,  what  hope  has  she  aught  can 
befriend  ? 

Rejected  here  shall  be  hor  prayers. 

Tear  off  the  Avreath  her  brow  now  wears, 

And  shroud  it  with  the  hue  of  death  I 

[I'he  Druids  throw  a  hlnck  Veil  over  Norma. 

Hence  to  the  pile !     May  her  last  bi-eath 

Psicify  our  altar,  and  our  temple. 

Malediction  wait  her  final  hour ! 

Malediction  after  life  have  power ! 
Oro.     Go,  unhappy  one ! 

Nor.  [Going  to  the  pile. ^  Father,  fare-thee-well ! 
Pol.      Thy  funeral  pyre,  oh  Norma!  shall  be  mine 
Nor,.  \  There  more  pure,  more  bless'd  above, 
Pol.  J  Shall  commence  eternal  love ! 
Oro.     Gush  out  at  laat — break  forth,  oh  tears ! 

Nature  permits  thee  to  a  suffeiing  father. 


"WEBER." 


THE 


Weber  Upright  Piano  has  no  Rival. 


ETELKA    GERSTER    TO    WEBER. 


Nsw  York,  December  16th,  187».  { 
Clarendon  Hotel.     ^ 

Dear  Mr.  "Weber  :  Thanks  for  the  Grand  Piano  you  have  sent  me.     I  like  it  very  much,  and 

find  it  very  excellent.     I  shall  be  happy  to  recommend  your  fine  instruments  on  every  occasion. 

ETELKA  GERSTER. 

AliBANI    TO    WEBER. 


Monday,  Feb.  15,  1875. 

Mr.  Weber  :   D^ar  Sir — 1  should  be  happy  to  see  you,  if  convenient,  as  on  Wednesday  I  sail 

for  E  igland — recalled   su  Idenly  by  Mr.  Gye — needless  to  say  how  regretfully,  after  so  many 

pleasant  evenings  in  America.  • 

I  used  your  splendid  pianos  here  and  about  the  Provinces,  and  have  been  thoroughly  satisfied 

with  them. 

They  deservedly  merit  the  high  distinction  they  have  obtained. 
With  many  sincere  thanks,  believe  me, 

Yours  sincerely, 
EMMA  ALBANI. 

JOHANX  STRAUSS,  homeward    bound,  accompanied    by  a    WEBER    UPRIGHT 

PIxVNO,  which  he  purchased  for  his  Music  Room  in  Vienna,  in  order  to  show  his   friends 
the  BEST  PIANO  IN  THE  WORLD  : 

Clarendon  Hotel,  July  12th,  1872. 
My  Dear  Mr.  Weber  :  Many  thanks,  in  which  my  wife  joins,  for  the  beautiful  Upright 
Piano  3'ou  were  kind  enough  to  send  me  to  my  room  during  my  stay  in  your  city.  It  has  aston- 
ished me  beyond  measure.  The  fullness  of  its  tone,  its  thorough  musical  quality,  so  even  through- 
out, and  the  evenness  and  compactness  of  its  touch,  I  have  never  before  met.  How  so  small  an 
instrument  can  contain  a  perfect  orchestra  surprises  me.  The  Grand  Piano  used  at  the  Academy 
at  my  concerts  only  heightens  my  opinion  of  your  work.  I  assure  you  I  have  never  yet  seen  any 
pianos  which  equal  yours.     My  heartiest  wishes  for  your  health  and  success. 

JOHANN  STRAUSS. 

V^AREROOMS: 
Fifth   Avenue    and   West   16th   Street, 

NEW  YOUK. 


tt 


WEBER 


>p 


THE  WEBER  PIANO-FORTES 

Have  boconio  thi« /("'<"*''<'  Inslriiments  of  tlie  Artistic  World,  and  are  endorsed  by 
I'vi-ry  IMusical  Autliority  as  the 

BEST  PIANOS  NOW  MANUFACTURED, 


Their  special  adaptation  to  the  human  voice  has  induced  every  celebrated  singer  to  use  them 
in  jyreference  to  any  other,  amongst  them  : 


PAOLINA  ROSSINI, 
ETELKA  GERSTER-CARDINI, 
CHRISTINE  NILSSON. 
CLARA  LOUISE  KELLOGG. 
MILE.  ALBANI, 
CARLOTTA  PATH. 
ILMA  DI  MURSKA, 
MRS  CHARLES  MOULTON. 
PAULINE  LUCCA, 
EMMA  ABBOTT, 
SIGNOR  DEL  PUENTE. 
SIGNOR  CAMPANINL 


AMONGST     THE 


Mme.  TERESA  CARRENO, 
Mme.  JULIA  RIVE-KING, 
ILONKA  DE  REVASZ, 
S.  B.  MILLS, 
MME.  SCHILLER, 


Mlle,  theo, 
Mlle,  derivis, 

SIGNOR  CAPOUL, 
MLLE.  FILOMENA  SAVIO, 
MME.  HARRIS  ZAGURY, 
S.GNOR  LUIGI  ARDITI, 
SIGNOR  MIERZWINSKI, 
SIGNOR  GALASSL 
SIGNOR  CLODIO, 
SIGNOR  RONCONI, 
SIGNOR  TOMASO  COSTA, 

AND  HUNDREDS  OF  OTHERS. 

MUSICIANS     AND     PIANISTS  ; 

MISS  ALIDE  TOPP, 
JAMES  M.  WEHLI, 
JOHANN  STRAUSS, 
MAX  MARETZEK. 


V/AREROOMS: 
Fifth   Avenue    and    West    16th    Street, 

NEW  YORK. 


u 


WEBER 


PP 


OF    NE^\^    YORK, 


Receives  tlie  Highest  Award 

AT  THE 

CENTENNIAL. 


FOR 


"SYMPATHETIC,  PURE,  and  RICH  TOXE,  coiiiMiied  with 
Greatest  Power,  as  shown  in  three  styles,  GRAND,  SQUARE, 
and  UPRIGHT  PIANOS,  which  show  inteHigence  and  solid- 
ity in  their  construction,  a  Pliant  and  Easy  Touch,  which 
at  the  same  time  answers  promptly  to  its  requirements, 
together  with  EXCELLENCE  OF  WORKMANSHIP." 


It  is  the  sympathetic  and  rich  quaUty  of  tone  which  has  made  the  Weber  Piano  the 
favorite  of  every  singer  as  well  as  the  public.  It  is  these  special  qualities  which,  combined 
with  purity  and  greatest  power,  in  a  voice  makes  the  greatest  singer,  and  which,  in  an  instru- 
ment, make  it  the  superior  of  its  competitors.  Purity,  power,  and  duration  are  but  cold  expo- 
nents of  mechanical  excellence.  Add  to  these  qualities — as  the  judges  say  are  contained  in  the 
Weber— sympathy  and  richness  of  tone,  and  you  breathe  into  it  warmth  and  life,  and  have  the 
Tie  plus  ultra  of  a  piano. 

This  Weber  has  done  at  the  Centennial;  and  when  the  judges  commend  his  instruments 
also  for  their  solidity  of  construction  and  excellence  of  workmanship,  they  tell  the  public  that  the 

ffekr  Piai  is  le  Best  in  tie  fforlil ! 


V^AREROOMS: 
Fifth  Avenue   and  West  16th  Street, 

NEW  YORK. 


"WEBER." 


THE 


Opinions  of  tlie  most  Distinpished  Artists. 


NILSSON. 

Windsor  Hotel,  May  5th,  1874. 
Mr.  a.  "Weber  : 

Dear  Sir— Please  accept  my  best  thanks  for  the  magnificent  Grand  Piano  that  you  sent  me 
during  my  stay  in  New  York.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  say  that  it  satisfied  nie  in  all  respects,  and 
I  shall  take  every  opportunity  to  recommend  and  praise  your  instruments  to  all  my  friends. 

Believe  me,  dear  sir,  j^ours  truly, 

CHRISTINE  NILSSON-ROUZAUD. 


KELLOGG. 


Clarehurst,  Cold  Spring,  June  23d,  1874. 
Dear  Mr.  Weber  : 

For  the  last  six  years  your  pianos  have  been  vitj  choice  for  the  concert--oom  .ind  my  own 
house,  where  one  of  your  splendid  Parlor  Grands  novv  stands.  I  have  praieed  and  ri'commendcd 
them  to  all  my  friends,  and  shall  continue  to  do  so,  for  it  seems  to  me  your  instruments  are  becom- 
ing better  every  year.  Very  truly  yours,  CLARA  LOUISA  KELLOGG. 


LUCCA. 

New  York,  Nov.  26th,  1873. 
Dear  Mr.  Weber  : 

Let  me  kindly  thank  you  for  the  Upright  Piano  which  I  u«;ed  all  summer  in  Kinejston.  nnd 
before  that  in  the  city,  since  my  arrival  in  America.  Your  Upright  Pianos  are  extraordinary 
instruments.  They  have  an  astonishing  fullness  and  wealth  of  tone  which  adapts  them  well  to  the 
voice.  The  action  I  find  charming,  and  this  one  surprises  me  by  hardly  ever  needing  the  tuner. 
Your  instruments  fully  deserve  the  great  success  which  they  have  attained. 

_______„___,_____.  PAULINE  LUCCA. 

PATTL 

Clarendon  Hotel,  April  3d,  1873. 
Albert  Weber,  Esq.  s 

I  must  thank  you  for  the  Very  excellent  instrument  which  accompanied  us  through  our  late 
concert  tour.  Exposed  to  an  unusually  severe  winter  and  extraordinary  changes  of  temperature, 
still  your  piano  was  ever  ready,  and  caused  myself  and  tlie  troupe  continued  pleasure.  The  dura- 
bilitij  and  extraordinary  power  of  the  Weber  Piano,  allied  to  such  a  Invely  qnaUty,  astonished  us, 
and  will  ever  prove  a  theme  Of  wonder  to  all  of  us.  In  the  numerous  concert  tours  witii  which  I 
have  been  associated  I  have  used  the  pianos  of  every  celebrated  maker,  but  give  yoia's  the  prefer' 
ence  over  all.     Accept  my  best  wishes.       CARLOTTA  PATTI. 

V7A  RE  ROOMS: 
Fifth   Avenue   and   West   16th   Street, 

NEW  YORK. 


nt  WW  IJ*  O  iP  U  ^^ 

ITALY'S   REPRESENTATIVE   MUSICIANS  AND 
CRITICS  ON  WEBER  PIANOS, 


E,  FaCCIO,  Grand  Director  of  the  Music  and  Conductor,  '^  La 
Scala,"   to   Campanini : 

Milan,   September  18,  1879,  .■ 

Mt  Dear  Campaxini: 

I  have  seen  and  examined  tlie  Supetb  Grand  PianO  you  have  just  purchased  from 
Weber,  New  York,  which,  for  beauty  and  robustness  of  tone,  as  well  as  for  elegance 
of  design,  is  truly  remarkable,  and  must  be  classed  among  the  foremost  pianos  of  our 
day.  Present  my  compliments  to  Mr.  Weber  for  his  admirable  work,  and  you  I  congratulate 
on  your  enviable  acquisition, 

E.  FACCIO. 

*  G,  Lucca,  the  eminent  musical  critic  and  publisher  to  Cam- 

panini : 

Milan,  September  24,  1878. 
Esteemed  Eriend  Campanini; 

I  have  seen  your  magnificent  Grand  Piano  from  Weber  of  New  York,  which  you  have 
lately  purchased,  and  congratulate  you  on  the  possession  of  such  a  splendid  instrument. 
Please  tell  Mr.  Weber  1  have  found  his  piano  superior  even  to  my  high  expecta- 
tions, and  as  soon  as  I    have   room  for  one  in  my  housej  will  be  glad  to  give  an  order 
for  a  similar  one- 

With  kind  regards,  yours, 

G.  LUCCA. 

V^AREROOMS: 
Fifth   Avenue  and   West    I6th   Street, 

NEW  YORK. 


"WEBER" 


KKCEIVED  THE 


HIGHEST   A^A^ARD 

AT  THE 

CEHsTTEIlSrisriJLIj, 

FOR  HIS 

World  Renowned  Piano-Fortes. 

AS  SHOWN  BY  THE  FIGURES  OF  THE  JUDGES,  WHICH  WERE  THE 

FUNDAMENTAL  BASIS  OF  ALL  AWARDS. 


Her  Majesty's  Opera  Company,  of  London,  to  WEBER. 

New  York,  December  28,  1878. 
A.  Weber,  Esq. — Dear  Sir :  The  following  artists  of  Her  Majesty's  (Colonel  Mapleson's)  Opera  Com, 
pany,  who  have  used  only  your,  the  Weber,  pianos  for  their  private  use  during  their  stay  in  New  York 
City,  while  tendering  their  thanks  for  your  kindness,  deem  it  their  duty  to  say  that  for  Pure  a~'l 
Sympathetic  Richness  of  Tone,  coupled  with  greatest  power  and  singing  quality,  they  know  of  no  piano 
whicli  equals  yours.  Certainly  for  sustaining  the  voice  already  formed,  or  for  the  purpose  of  cultivating 
it,  the  Weber  Piano  is  superior  to  any  instrument  known  to  us. 

ETELKA  GERSTER-GARDINI.  }  MARIE  ROZE-MAPLESON, 

CLAR.  CAMPOBELLO-SINICO,  ENRICO  CAMPOBELLO, 

CARMEN  PISANI,  EMILIA  PARODI,  MARIE  LIDO, 

ITALO  CAMPANINI,  F.  LABLACHE,  LUIGI  ARDITI, 

ANTO  I.  GALASSI,  F.  FRAPOPLI,  DEL  PUENTE, 

HENRY  PYATT,  FRANK  DE  RIAL?,  F.  FRANCESHI, 

G.  THIERRY,  GENNARO  BISACCIA. 


Recognized  beyond  controversy  as  the  Standard  for  Excellence  in  every  particular,  because  of  the: 

SYMPATHETIC,  PURE,  AND  RICH  TONE, 

COMBINED  WITH  GREATEST  POWER. 


WARE  ROOMS: 
Fifth   Avenue   and   W^est    16th    Street, 

NEW  YORK. 


PCTURN      Ml-  ^ 

.  -TURN       fviuiiC 

.  J  H^       240  AA 

^^B 

:  UBRARY 

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ALL  BOOKS  MAY  BE  RECALLED  AFTER  7  DAYS                1 

DUE   AS  STAMPED   BELOW                       | 

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FORM  NO.  DD  21,  12m, 


^,7^  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,  BERKELEY 

BERKELEY,  CA  94720 


ML50.B45.N6  1880 
C037514042 

yM9.,..^IP.'<ELEY  LIBRARIES 


■ill 


<:D375l^D^E 


DATE  DUE 


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